Testing round-up: Villeneuve pips McLarens

Villeneuve was quickest at the Northamptonshire circuit, topping the time sheets on the final lap of a long 14-lap run after the track had finally dried in the afternoon session. However the Canadian's day was marred when, 10 minutes before the session finished, the former world champ lost control of his BAR 003 at Club corner when the rain returned.

Team mate Panis was second quickest in his 2000-spec BAR. The Frenchman was developing the team's traction control system for the Spanish Grand Prix at the end of the month.

McLaren's test driver Alex Wurz was third, also in a 2000-spec car, while team mate Mika Hakkinen finished just behind the Austrian in fourth in a brand new 2001 MP4-16.

The two Jordans of Jarno Trulli and Ricardo Zonta finished the day at the bottom of the time sheets. Trulli ran only 10 laps during the afternoon session, but was fifth fastest, while test driver Zonta finished the day sixth quickest. The Brazilian also slid off the track before lunch when the circuit was still wet.

McLaren is expected to begin testing a new Bridgestone compound tomorrow. The tyre is expected to be used at the San Marino Grand Prix in 10 days time. David Coulthard may also make an appearance behind the wheel on Thursday.

At a wet Magny-Cours, Jean Alesi gave Prost a welcome boost by pipping the Sauber of Kimi Raikkonen for the top slot on the penultimate day of the test. Juan Pablo Montoya was third for WIlliams, while the Grove-based team's tester Marc Gene was a further one second back. The Williams pair completed a mammoth 188 laps between them.

Jos Verstappen's Arrows finished fourth at the French circuit. It was the first time the Dutchman has been on the same track as Montoya since their crash during the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.

At Fiorano, Luca Badoer continued Ferrari's development of its traction control system. World Champion Michael Schumacher will join the Italian tomorrow when he will begin preparing for the San Marino GP.

Testing also rolled on at Jerez with Jaguar joining Benetton at the circuit in southern Spain. On the back of his sixth place in Brazil, Giancarlo Fisichella continued his run of form by topping the times 0.260s ahead of Luciano Burti, who surprisingly finished the day ahead of his Big Cat team mate Eddie Irvine.

Jenson Button wound up fourth and last, a position the British ace is becoming reluctantly accustomed to. Button completed 36 laps in the recalcitrant B201 and spent much of the day working on the car's electronic systems.

Silverstone test, day two (unofficial times)

Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda B 1m22.91s 40
Olivier Panis BAR-Honda B (2000 car) 1m23.50s 49
Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes B (2000 car)1m24.39s 41
Mika Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes B 1m24.65s 60
Jarno Trulli Jordan-Honda B 1m25.92s 10
Ricardo Zonta Jordan-Honda (2000 car) B 1m26.79s 29

Magny-Cours test, day two (unofficial times)

Jean Alesi Prost-Acer M 1m23.710s 55
Kimi Raikkonen Sauber-Petronas B 1m23.711s 65
Juan-Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m25.021s 87
Marc Gene Williams-BMW M (2000 car) 1m26.175s 91
Jos Verstappen Arrows-AMT B 1m27.514s 54

Jerez test, day two (unofficial times)

Giancarlo Fisichella Benetton-Renault M 1m22.713s 38
Luciano Burti Jaguar M 1m22.973s 44
Eddie Irvine Jaguar M 1m23.358s
Jenson Button Benetton-Renault M 1m25.378s 36

B - Bridgeston
M - Michelin