Wurz Sets the Pace Again at Barcelona - Day Two

Austrian Alexander Wurz dominated on the second day of testing at the Barcelona circuit, where he already set the quickest time on Tuesday.

The McLaren test driver completed 64 laps with the team's MP4-16B chassis, an updated version of last year's car, setting a quickest time of 1:18.667. Brazilian Rubens Barrichello continued with the development of the Ferrari F2002 chassis, successfully completing a race simulation, and finishing nearly half a second ahead of the team's test driver Luca Badoer.

The Italian worked at the wheel of both the F2001 and the second F2002 chassis, setting his fastest lap with the new machine while he concentrated on tyre testing with the old one. On Thursday, World Champion Michael Schumacher will join both his teammates.

Italian Jarno Trulli joined the test today, taking over from Renault's test driver Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the Michelin-shod RS02. Trulli was fourth quickest after only 28 laps, finishing ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya in the first of the two Williams on track.

"It was a slightly frustrating day for the team, with the misfire restricting our running," said Mike Gascoyne, Renault's technical director.

"Once we had solved the problem, Jarno was very pleased with the car from his first run onwards, and managed to complete a short tyre programme for Michelin, evaluating constructions for the race in Brazil."

The Jaguar team began their crucial test with both their R2 and R3 chassis in order to decide which one to use in the next few races. Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa was in action with last year's R2 in the morning, driving the new R3 during the afternoon.

"I've been able to drive both cars and got quite a lot of data out of today's test, specially in what refers to aerodynamics," said de la Rosa, who was sixth fastest, his best time set with the R3. "Tomorrow we will continue in the same line."

Jordan's Takuma Sato and Brazilian Felipe Massa in the Sauber were eighth and ninth fastest respectively, both teams joining the Barcelona test today.

"It feels even better driving the car now that I have scored a Championship point," said Massa, who finished sixth in Malaysia. "I feel like I could have driven more laps in preparation for my home Grand Prix, but otherwise it's been a productive day. The conditions were good and we have covered a lot of ground."

BAR's test driver Anthony Davidson joined the test today after Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, who was scheduled to test with the Brackley-based squad, pulled out for the test for unknown reasons. The Briton was tenth quickest.

Australian Ryan Briscoe tested for the Toyota team, the young driver carrying out work on a new engine specification, as well as a newly-built chassis and general set up work for April's Spanish Grand Prix. The test driver finished at the bottom of the timesheets after 55 laps.

"I would have liked to have done a few more laps on my first real F1 test," said Briscoe. "There were a few glitches with the hydraulics and electronics, but we were testing some new things today for the next couple of races, so we expected a few teething problems.

"Overall though I am quite happy. The car feels good to drive and it is getting better all the time."

Testing will continue on Thursday.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:18.667 64 2. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:18.851 86 3. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:19.204 109 4. Trulli Renault (M) 1:19.751 28 5. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:19.832 67 6. De la Rosa Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:19.982 76 7. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:20.751 70 8. Sato Jordan-Honda (B) 1:21.098 67 9. Massa Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:21.667 41 10. Davidson BAR-Honda (B) 1:21.926 45 11. Briscoe Toyota (M) 1:24.108 55 All Timing Unofficial

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