Webber top in Spain, Minardi at Mugello

Webber continued his efforts for the Enstone-based team alone after the Renault engine in Jenson Button's B201 expired yesterday (Thursday) bringing his test to an end a day early.

The Benetton test driver completed 90 laps and set a best time of 1m36.154s, more than two seconds quicker than his Williams counterpart Gene.

The Spaniard, who is local to the Catalan circuit, has notched up a mammoth 900 miles this week and completed traction control work, as well as a tyre evaluation programme.

"Knowing this area as I do," said Gene, "I thought today's logistics were remarkable. It is not easy to create the conditions for a proper wet test in July, so I have to congratulate the team, Michelin and the circuit for simulating the wet weather conditions.

"I hope some of the improvements will show on the car as soon as Silverstone. We've done plenty of miles here and it is great that the team are working me hard - it helps keep me sharp."


Mark Webber, Benetton-Renault, M (2000) 1m36.154s 90 laps
Marc Gene, Williams-BMW, M 1m38.334s 85 laps

Alex Yoong completed his first full day of running for the European Minardi team after completing an initial run of 20 laps on Thursday. The Malaysian completed 47 laps of the Mugello circuit in Italy and despite beating the benchmark time set by Andrea Piccini by more than a second, Yoong is not expected, as rumoured, to be in line for a race seat. ( Click here for separate story)

"I have always dreamed of driving a Formula 1 car," said Yoong, "and could only imagine what the power, downforce and braking must be like. Now I know, and it is every bit as exciting as I expected. I was pleased with my time, but I felt I could go even quicker with a bit more acclimatisation."