Silverstone day 1: Fisichella fastest

Conditions in Northampton were constantly miserable, and although the rain abated on occasions the track was never completely dry. The best times of the day were set on intermediates however, and being on track at the right time was key to a quick lap.

Second fastest behind Fisichella was Jaguar test driver Andre Lotterer, who was getting his first taste of the R3. The young German did a good job to record a best lap of 1m32.60, over two seconds quicker than Eddie Irvine managed, although the Ulsterman was not on track at its driest.

This week's test is the last to be held at Silverstone before the British GP, so Ferrari has made the trip over from Italy. Luca Badoer did 78 laps of the track in the F2002 today (Tuesday), in preparation for the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello tomorrow. The Italian was third fastest.

The slippery track meant it was a day full of interruptions and a number of drivers had trips into the gravel. During the morning session Alex Wurz, Jarno Trulli and Toyota tester Stephane Sarrazin went off, a feat repeated by Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button, Irvine, Ryan Briscoe and Sarrazin again in the afternoon. Sarrazin's second off resulted in a heavy impact, which removed the front and rear wings and front suspension from his car.

Arrows joins the test tomorrow with a single car for Enrique Bernoldi.


Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Honda B 1m31.62s 44
Andre Lotterer Jaguar M 1m32.60s 22
Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m33.44s 78
Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes M 1m34.20s 42
Felipe Massa Sauber-Petronas B 1m35.01s 12
Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m35.02s 21
Eddie Irvine Jaguar M 1m35.15s 63
Anthony Davidson BAR-Honda B 1m35.58s 38
Ryan Briscoe Toyota M 1m36.91s 55
Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m36.98s 33
Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW M 1m37.33s 31
Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m38.33s 30
Stephane Sarrazin Toyota M 1m38.98s 21

M = Michelin
B = Bridgestone