Valencia day 1: Ferrari sets pace again

The Italian completed 64 laps of running at a sunny Valencia circuit, and set a best lap of 1m11.70s. The time will be particularly encouraging for the team after a troubled test at Barcelona last week.

Of the six teams present at the test, only Ferrari and McLaren were running their 2002 cars. Ferrari will start this season with the dominant F-2002, which won 14 of the 15 races it started last year. Yet despite the car's pedigree, the team is still looking to improve the machine. "Today we just worked on electronics and tyre developments," said Barrichello. "We're going to start the season with this car, so we just need to fine-tune it as much as possible."

Both of Toyota's drivers were in action, with Olivier Panis setting the third-fastest time. While ChampCar convert Cristiano da Matta was only sixth quickest, it was his first proper test of the TF103.

"I have driven the new car at Paul Ricard in very wet conditions for a total of maybe 20 laps, so today is officially my first proper test in the car," said the Brazilian. "I could feel right away that it is a very good car. We haven't worked on the set-up much, but it is already very good. The car is more stable, and the traction is much better. As a total package, the engine and gearbox are very good. My seating position is not perfect yet, but that will just take a bit of time to adjust. I'm very, very happy with the car."

Fellow former ChampCar champion Jacques Villeneuve continued to test BAR-Honda's new 005, and was happy with its performance around the twisty Valencia circuit, which has different characteristics from Barcelona, where he had previously tested the car. "The car is definitely good here also," he said. "It's good to know that the car is good at a very different type of circuit to Barcelona. The car is very stable, particularly in the slow corners. I'm very happy with the work we've done, and I can't wait to do more work on the car."

Testing at the circuit continues tomorrow, with Sauber joining the six teams already present. Michael Schumacher is due to join the test for Ferrari, and Jenson Button will be in action for BAR.

Rubens Barrichello Ferrari B 1m11.43s 78
Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Ford B 1m11.70s 64*
Olivier Panis Toyota M 1m11.87s 62*
Mark Webber Jaguar M 1m11.96s 31*
Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda B 1m12.38s 64*
Cristiano da Matta Toyota M 1m12.69s 56*
Alex Wurz Mclaren-Mercedes M 1m12.78s 39
Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m12.89s 96
Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes M 1m12.89s 8
Takuma Sato BAR-Honda B 1m13.13s 53*

B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin
* denotes 2003 car