Schumacher Finishes Jerez Test on Top - Day Three

Championship leader Michael Schumacher wrapped up today a three-day test for his Ferrari team at the Jerez circuit, where the German driver was again the quickest man on track.

The Ferrari star had another busy day, completing 95 laps at the wheel of the F2003-GA chassis. Schumacher continued with the tyre development programme and also concentrated on set-up work ahead of the United States and Japanese Grands Prix.

The World Champion finished more than six tenths of a second ahead of Brazilian Ricardo Zonta, who continued working for the Toyota team. The Japanese squad's test driver covered 60 laps as he concentrated on set-up work ahead of the Indianapolis race next week.

"We did some tyre testing this morning, validating the work that Cristiano (da Matta) did in Barcelona earlier in the week and trying to evaluate the tyres for the Japanese GP in Suzuka," said Zonta at the end of the day.

"The car has been running well and we have found a good balance for this track. I am pleased with what we have achieved and we have been able to set a reasonable lap time. Tomorrow is more of the same with further tyre evaluation and set-up work."

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen took over from Sauber teammate Nick Heidfeld behind the wheel of the only C22 at the Spanish track. Frentzen continued with the aerodynamic programme start by Heidfeld, and completed a total of 89 laps to finish third.

"Today we have verified the data which Nick Heidfeld collected for us during the last two days," said Remi Decorzent, Sauber's race engineer. "We have also tested again the downforce level for Indianapolis and worked with Bridgestone on the selection of tyres for Indianapolis but particularly for Suzuka.

"Thanks to good weather and track conditions we were able to run the test as scheduled and without problems."

The BAR team had a troubled day today, with Briton Jenson Button covering only 15 laps before suffering a heavy accident from which he escaped unhurt. Despite the crash, the Briton finished ahead of Canadian teammate Jacques Villeneuve, who was the slowest man today.

BAR and Toyota will wrap up the test tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:19.176 95 2. Zonta Toyota (M) 1:19.851 60 3. Frentzen Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:19.996 86 4. Button BAR-Honda (B) 1:20.407 15 5. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:20.941 51 All Timing Unofficial

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