Valencia, day 2: Gene breaks record

Gene spent most of his day working on tyre evaluation ahead of next week's Monaco GP. Pizzonia did a race simulation, and both drivers were kept very busy, Gene did 114 laps, Pizzonia 105.

In contrast it was a frustrating morning for BAR's Jacques Villeneuve. A persistent electrical gremlin prevented him from recording a timed lap and he eventually handed the car over to test driver Anthony Davidson. The Englishman persevered until the remedy was found before handing back to the 1997 world champion, who went on to set the day's third quickest time.

Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso were on hand for Renault and both drivers did 54 laps in preparation for Monte Carlo. Jordan's Giancarlo Fisichella had expected to get this week off, but following Takuma Sato's Austrian GP shunt he has been called into action. The Italian had his wife and young daughter in tow, but it was not the best of days as a Honda engine failure brought a premature end to his running midway through the afternoon session.


Marc Gene Williams-BMW M 1m10.453s 114
Antonia Pizzonia Williams-BMW M 1m12.001s 105
Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda B 1m12.516s 41
Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m12.721s 54
Fernando Alonso Renault M 1m12.955s 54
Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Honda B 1m13.118s 60
Anthony Davidson BAR-Honda B 1m13.637s 5

M = Michelin
B = Bridgestone