Silverstone, day 3: De la Rosa firmly on top

The Northamptonshire track did not fully dry out until just before lunch due to overnight rain and de la Rosa set his top time late in the afternoon session on a brand new set of Michelins.

The 1m25s bracket had not been broken during all three days of the test, but the Big Cat's latest signing beat a handful of 2000-spec cars - which have more downforce - to set an overall best of 1m24.71s.

"We have been doing lots of tyre development," de la Rosa said. "I am very pleased that I was able to try so many different tyres under so many different conditions."

Benetton test driver Mark Webber provided encouragement for the Enstone-based team - which had a torrid Australian Grand Prix last weekend - by finishing in the number two spot more than a second behind de la Rosa's Jaguar. The young Australian continued to carry out development work in an interim B200B, fitted with 2001 components.

Ricardo Zonta was behind the wheel of this year's Jordan-Honda and completed a mammoth 88 laps while completing a tyre development programme for Michelin rival Bridgestone.

Williams test driver Marc Gene carried out gearbox and software development on his way to setting the fourth fastest time. The Spaniard split his working day between two versions of last year's FW22 and will drive the team's all-new FW23 at Barcelona after the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Johnny Herbert had his first run in the car that he has been drafted into the Arrows team to help develop as third driver - this year's A22. The F1 veteran carried out back-to-back comparisons between the Leafield team's latest challenger and the 2000 car.

Today (Friday) was Herbert's first time behind the wheel of an F1 car which conforms to 2001 regulations. The 36-year-old set the fifth fastest time in the A21 and was bottom of the time sheets in the new car, more than 2.5s behind de la Rosa.

"I'm just trying to learn the new car, and make comparisons with the old one," said Herbert after his third day of being a full time test driver.

World championship leader Ferrari finished its week of testing at Fiorano with Rubens Barrichello joining test driver Luca Badoer. Barrichello was driving an F2001 and set a time of 1m01.067s, which was a full second faster than the F1-2000 of Badoer. The Italian tester continued work on traction control systems in anticipation of its return at the Spanish Grand Prix in April. The Maranello duo continue tomorrow.
Silverstone test, day three (unofficial times)

Pedro de la Rosa, Jaguar (2001 car), M, 1m24.71s, 53 laps
Mark Webber, Benetton-Renault, M, 1m25.74s, 63 laps
Ricardo Zonta, Jordan-Honda (2001 car), B, 1m25.75s, 38 laps
Marc Gene, Williams-BMW, M, 1m26.84s, 53 laps
Johnny Herbert, Arrows-AMT (2001 car), B 1m26.95s, 24 laps
Johnny Herbert, Arrows-AMT, B, 1m27.43s, 38 laps