Testing round-up: Bernoldi top at wet Estoril

The Brazilian, who was announced as the replacement for Pedro de la Rosa last week completed 59 laps in last year's car and set a fastest time of 1m22.997s, almost 1.5s faster than Jean Alesi who was quickest of the 2001 cars in second spot.

Alesi continued to show the potential of the Ferrari-engined AP04 and managed to narrowly stay ahead of Jos Verstappen in the new Arrows A22. The Dutchman finished third just 0.084s behind Alesi.

Running was interrupted throughout the day by intermittent downpours, forcing the teams to halt development programmes, change tyres and revert to wet weather set-ups. The changing conditions lead to unpredictable track conditions which caught out Giancarlo Fisichella, who span twice at the tight turn six.

The Italian finished fourth and last in the newly-launched B201 and concentrated on putting more miles on Renault's extra wide-angled V10 engine.

Further afield World Champion Michael Schumacher continued development of the Ferrari F2001 at Mugello and completed 56 laps at the wheel of the latest challenger from Maranello.

Schumacher set a time 0.079s faster than yesterday with a best lap of 1m24.579s. The German is due to continue running tomorrow, scotching rumours that team mate Rubens Barrichello, who has yet to drive the 2001 car, would take over for his first run.

The Swiss Sauber team was also in action today at the Italian Vairano circuit completing aerodynamic evaluation work on the C20.



Enrique Bernoldi, Arrows-AMT B (2000 car), 1m22.997s, 59 laps
Jean Alesi, Prost-Ferrari M, 1m24.484s, 60 laps
Jos Verstappen, Arrows-AMT B, 1m24.568s, 40 laps
Giancarlo Fisichella, Benetton-Renault M, 1m24.585s, 67 laps

M - Michelin
B - Bridgestone