Sato Tops the Times at Paul Ricard - Day Three

BAR-Honda's Takuma Sato managed the best time of the session on the third day of testing at the Paul Ricard circuit.

The teams today used the "Monaco" configuration of the French track, which was again hit by the rain in the afternoon, making it impossible for the teams to continue running.

Sato, testing the latest specification of the Honda engine, posted a best lap of 1:10.830, outpacing Finland's Kimi Raikkonen by three tenths of a second. Raikkonen joined the test today and worked alongside McLaren teammate David Coulthard, fourth quickest.

Renault's test driver Franck Montagny was third fastest in the R24, the Frenchman working on set-ups during the morning, and, on a wet circuit, he conducted evaluation of electronic developments in the afternoon.

"A positive day overall for the team," said Renault's chief test engineer Christian Silk. "We finally managed to get a full day's work done, and that allowed us to make good progress with the R24. Franck evaluated Monaco tyres and the compounds looked promising.

"The car seems quick here, and we hope our final day at Paul Ricard tomorrow will prove as productive."

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was fifth quickest in the first of the Williams FW26, while his teammate Marc Gene posted the seventh fastest time. The Williams duo were split by Toyota's Cristiano da Matta, who took over from test driver Ricardo Zonta at the wheel of the Japanese car.

Jordan's Giorgio Pantano continued with the Silverstone-based squad's preparations for the Monaco Grand Prix, replacing Nick Heidfeld and concentrating on set-up work with the EJ14. Pantano was slowest.

Testing at Paul Ricard ends tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:10.830 107 2. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:11.130 39 3. Montagny Renault (M) 1:11.437 93 4. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:11.446 64 5. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:11.632 63 6. da Matta Toyota (M) 1:11.843 74 7. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:12.628 89 8. Panis Toyota (M) 1:13.391 52 9. Pantano Jordan-Ford (B) 1:13.500 75 All Timing Unofficial

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