Wurz Tops the Times at Monza

Austrian driver Alexander Wurz topped the timesheets on the second day of testing at the Monza circuit, where five Formula One teams are carrying out a four-day session to prepare for the British and German Grands Prix.

The McLaren test driver, who on Tuesday set the third quickest time, lapped nearly a whole second quicker than yesterday's time set by Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Wurz, whose team are testing a new front wing for the Mercedes-powered MP4-16, completed 43 laps to edge Sauber's Nick Heidfeld.

The German, who was second fastest on Tuesday too, continued working on his car's aerodynamics but his progress was hampered when he stopped on track with an oil leak. Heidfeld was not very pleased with his day's work, after being able to complete only 36 laps.

"We have found out some interesting things during this test, but the day was not quite as good as yesterday even though we went faster, because I wasn't able to get as many laps for a variety of reasons," said Heidfeld. "A lot of drivers seemed to have problems today."

David Coulthard, second in the Championship behind Michael Schumacher, joined the session today, the Scot setting the third quickest time after suffering an engine problem. The Jaguar team, who also missed the first day of testing, were present with three drivers - Eddie Irvine, Pedro de la Rosa and Andre Lotterer. The Spaniard was fourth nearly a second behind Wurz, while the German F3 star, who replaced the unwell Eddie Irvine, was sixth quickest.

Briton Darren Manning was the only driver present for the British American team, while Jordan continued working with both Frentzen, who was fastest on Tuesday, and Brazilian Ricardo Zonta, who finished the day ahead of Irvine. Zonta focused on further aerodynamic mapping which only required an out-lap and in-lap to be completed on each run, so the Brazilian was unable to achieve a timed lap until late this afternoon.

Irishman Irvine completed only seven laps before calling it a day complaining of neck pains.

Testing at Monza will continue tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time 1. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:23.838 2. Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:23.890 3. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:23.971 4. de la Rosa Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:24.752 5. Manning BAR-Honda (B) 1:25.129 6. Frentzen Jordan-Honda (B) 1:25.140 7. Lotterer Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:26.053 8. Zonta Jordan-Honda (B) 1:26.388 9. Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:27.061 All Timing Unofficial