Schumacher Breaks Valencia Track Record

World Champion Michael Schumacher set a new lap record at the Ricardo Tormo circuit today, in the morning session of the second day of testing at the Valencia circuit.

The Ferrari driver, at the wheel of the F2003-GA car, posted a quickest lap of 1:09.429, over two tenths of a second quicker than what McLaren's David Coulthard had managed with the new MP4-19 last week.

Schumacher, however, was not the only man to better the track record, as both Williams drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher lowered Coulthard's benchmark with the BMW-powered FW26s.

Montoya was second quickest in the morning session with a best lap of 1:09.679, while Ralf posted a fastest time of 1:09.690. Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia returned to Formula One action with the Williams team, and was fourth fastest with the FW25B.

F3000 champion Bjorn Wirdheim was in action for the Jaguar team as he fights for the third seat at the Milton Keynes team. Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner had his first run with the Minardi, for whom he will race in 2004.

Up to 15 drivers were in action this morning at Valencia.

Testing resumes in the afternoon.