Schumacher Outpaces Montoya at Jerez - Day One

The Ferrari and Williams teams kicked off today their final test of the off-season at the Jerez circuit in Southern Spain, where four teams will carry out their testing programme before flying to Melbourne for the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

World Champion Michael Schumacher and Colombian rival Juan Pablo Montoya were the only men who set a time today at the Spanish circuit, with the Ferrari driver finishing more than 2.5 seconds ahead of the Williams star. On a rainy day at Jerez, Schumacher worked at the wheel of both the old F2002 and the new F2003-GA.

Today was the first time that the new Ferrari tested outside Italy, and the car proved faster than the F2002. Schumacher's best lap of 1:25.312 was set with the F2003-GA after 20 laps, while his best with the F2002 was 1:26.447 after covering 31 laps.

Montoya, meanwhile, worked on the development of the new BMW-powered FW25, completing 64 laps. Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer was also on track today, but he only came out of the pits with some three minutes remaining and completed only an installation lap.

The test continues tomorrow, when the McLaren and Toyota teams are schedules to join.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:25.321 51 2. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:27.999 64 All Timing Unofficial

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