Schumacher and Liuzzi Test at Jerez - Day Three

World Champion Michael Schumacher set the pace on the third day of testing at the Jerez circuit as F3000 champion Vitantonio Liuzzi made his debut with the Sauber team.

Schumacher took over from Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello as the Italian squad continued with their work ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. The German driver completed a total of 88 laps at the wheel of the F2004 car and finished two seconds ahead of Liuzzi.

The Italian driver, who made his Formula One debut with the Williams team at the end of 2002, returned to the wheel of a Formula One car with the Swiss Sauber team. Liuzzi covered a total of 60 laps and was over two seconds slower than what Brazilian Felipe Massa had managed on Wednesday with the Petronas-powered car.

"It was a great day for me and I feel very happy," said the Italian driver. "Driving a Formula One car doesn't happen every day. "In the morning the track conditions were not the best otherwise I'm sure I could have been quicker, but in the afternoon it improved and we were able to complete our programme.

"I felt really good in the team. It was important for me to do this test, to understand how this team works and to run as many kilometres in a Formula One car as possible."

The Jerez test will come to an end tomorrow, with only Schumacher on track.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:16.944 88 2. Liuzzi Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:18.945 60 All Timing Unofficial

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