Valencia test, day 3: DC on top after long stint

The Scot spent the day testing his Bridgestone tyres and further developing the traction and launch control systems on the MP4-16. And he's confident that the work carried out today (Thursday) will mean that the particular electronic gremlin which saw him stall at the start of the parade lap on the Spanish Grand Prix won't happen in Austria in 10 days time.

"I'm very happy," said Coulthard. "The particular problem which affected us in Barcelona won't happen again."

Coulthard's time of 1m13.64s was half a second slower than team mate Mika Hakkinen's quickest lap set on Wednesday, but it was still good enough to pip the impressive Eddie Irvine into second place in the Jaguar.

San Marino Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher rounded out the top three fastest times, setting his quick lap of 1m14.35s towards the end of a 25-lap stint. Williams team mate Juan Pablo Montoya's progress was thwarted when his BMW engine blew, causing the red flags to come out in the morning. Nevertheless the Colombian finished the day with the fifth fastest time, with Alex Wurz's McLaren separating the two Williams drivers in fourth.

Pedro de la Rosa ran the second longest stint of the day. The Spaniard completed 84 laps at Valencia and finished with the sixth fastest time. The man who he replaced at Jaguar, Luciano Burti, was next up in the Prost. The Brazilian ran for 57 laps in the morning, but did not continue in the afternoon after feeling unwell.

Australian Mark Webber set the eighth fastest time in a 2000-spec Benetton followed by Jean Alesi in the Prost. Slowest was Jenson Button in a 2001-spec Benetton.

McLaren has now finished its testing programme at Valencia, however the Michelin teams remain for a wet tyre test on Friday.

David Coulthard, McLaren-Mercedes B, 1m13.64s 105
Eddie Irvine, Jaguar-Cosworth M, 1m13.84s 48
Ralf Schumacher, Williams-BMW M, 1m14.35s 67
Alex Wurz, McLaren-Mercedes B, 1m14.47s 56
Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams-BMW M, 1m14.60 49
Pedro de la Rosa, Jaguar-Cosworth M, 1m14.66s 84
Luciano Burti, Prost-Acer M, 1m15.25s 57
Mark Webber, Benetton-Renault M, 1m15.79s 49
Jean Alesi, Prost-Acer M, 1m16.12s 34
Jenson Button, Benetton-Renault, 1m17.58s 14