Wurz Goes Fastest at Jerez

McLaren's test driver Alexander Wurz moved to the top of the timesheets on the second day of testing at the Jerez circuit, where five Formula One teams are carrying out their final programme of the year.

Wurz was only four thousands of a second quicker than Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, who continued to show good pace in the Cosworth-powered Jaguar R3. The Jaguar driver finished ahead of the second of the McLarens, driven by Finn Kimi Raikkonen.

German Ralf Schumacher was fourth fastest in the first of the Williams, while teammate Marc Gene posted the eighth quickest time as he continued to put miles on the new BMW P83 engine that the Grove-based squad will use in next year's Championship.

Renault driver Fernando Alonso, fastest on the first day of work, was only fifth today, outpacing Canadian Jacques Villeneuve in the British American Racing car and his own Renault teammate Jarno Trulli.

"Another constructive day for us," said Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne. "Fernando Alonso completed 200km in the hybrid car although in the afternoon he had to stop with a minor engine problem. Jarno completed successfully his day programme, which involved suspension evaluation.

"In the afternoon Franck Montagny did some running in the R202 to get a feel for the car and he will continue testing tomorrow morning."

Briton Jenson Button today made his debut at the wheel of the Honda-powered British American Racing 004, but the young driver had a troubled day, suffering an engine blow up during the session. Button, who completed a total of 57 laps, finished ninth quickest less than half a second behind his teammate Villeneuve.

"I've had a good first day with the team," said Button. "I was driving this year's car so, although I didn't get a taste of what I can expect next year, it felt well-balanced and good to drive.

"We did some good work this morning so it's a shame that we couldn't continue improving but today wasn't about how quick I am, it was about getting to grips with everything. I've settled in well and I feel part of the team already. I'm looking forward to another good day tomorrow."

Frenchman Franck Montagny, who had already tested for the Minardi team at Valencia at the end of November, today took to the wheel of the Renault R202 as part of the French squad's evaluation of new talents.

Montagny, who lost an engine during they day, finished tenth quickest after 18 laps, outpacing Jaguar's Mark Webber, who for the second day running finished at the bottom of the timesheets after suffering engine problems at the end of the day.

Testing at Jerez continues tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20.892 71 2. Pizzonia Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:20.896 81 3. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20.995 71 4. R.Schumacher Williams-BMW (M) 1:20.997 66 5. Alonso Renault (M) 1:21.677 66 6. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:22.165 67 7. Trulli Renault (M) 1:22.189 44 8. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:22.283 59 9. Button BAR-Honda (B) 1:22.568 57 10. Montagny Renault (M) 1:23.393 18 11. Webber Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:23.964 15 All Timing Unofficial

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