Valencia day 3: Coulthard flies

Coulthard and McLaren test driver Alex Wurz, both on tyre programmes, were split only by Heinz-Harald Frentzen's new Sauber at the top of the times. Frentzen continues to be delighted with the performance of the new Sauber C22. "I felt the car was handling well and responded as expected to the work we have done today," he said. "Second quickest time overall is the best proof of this."

Frentzen's team-mate Nick Heidfeld split the two Ferrari drivers who between them completed 157 laps, running heavy fuel loads and concentrating on long runs as they worked on Bridgestone race tyres.

Giancarlo Fisichella continued to impress in the unliveried Jordan-Cosworth as the team worked hard to catch up on the set-up data it missed out on in Barcelona last week.

"It's been a very good three days," said Fisichella. "The car is just getting better and better. It reacts really well to set-up changes and I am particularly looking forward to tomorrow's wet weather test which is crucial due to the new regulations over tyres."

Tomorrow's testing will be behind closed doors as Bridgestone conduct a wet-weather tyre test.

David Coulthard McLaren M 1m10.98s 45
Heinz-Harald Frentzen Sauber B 1m11.10s 40*
Alex Wurz McLaren M 1m11.13s 65
Rubens Barrichello Ferrari B 1m11.30s 96
Nick Heidfeld Sauber B 1m11.41s 51*
Michael Schumacher Ferrari B 1m11.53s 61
Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Cosworth B 1m11.70s 59
Olivier Panis Toyota M 1m11.92s 59
Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m12.11s 31
Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda B 1m12.12s 71
Antonio Pizzonia Jaguar-Cosworth B 1m12.32s 59
Cristiano da Matta Toyota M 1m12.41s 77
Jenson Button BAR-Honda B 1m12.41s 61
Jos Verstappen Minardi A 1m15.19s 46

A = Avon
B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin
* denotes 2003 car