Schumacher Quickest Again at Jerez

World Champion Michael Schumacher was the fastest man on the second day of testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain, where the rain again hit the track and hampered the teams' progress.

Schumacher, fastest yesterday with the Ferrari F2003-GA, continued making progress with the new car, finishing more than half a second ahead of the closest of his rivals. The German five-time champion worked during most of the day with the F2003-GA, covering only one lap with the old F2002.

Schumacher, who was involved in one of the few incidents today when he spun off the track at the Michelin corner, outpaced McLaren's David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen, who joined the test today. The Scot was the quickest of the McLaren duo despite suffering an engine problem during the session.

Frenchman Olivier Panis also joined the Jerez test today, driving the new Toyota TF103 on his way to the fourth quickest time of the session ahead of Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who was slowest with the Williams FW25 after 39 laps.

Testing at Jerez continues tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:25.626 54 2. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:26.392 44 3. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:27.014 49 4. Panis Toyota (M) 1:28.725 24 5. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:29.195 39 All Timing Unofficial

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