By Nikki Reynolds, F1 Editor - Motorsport.com

BAR's Jenson Button topped the times at Jerez for the second day of the
week's test, setting a best of 1:16.968 in the new 006. Fifteen drivers took
to the circuit on Wednesday and Button's teammate Takuma Sato was second
fastest, also in an 006 chassis. Times at the top were very close today, the
first five drivers being separated by less than four tenths of a second.

{at}photo:left:filename:f1-2004-gen-tm-0867.jpg {at}{at}
"It's all good," Button told Autosport. "We did a long run,
which is all
part of the tyre test. The car was pretty consistent and we got some good
data. I'm happy with what we've done, but we do have a few problems to
address. I'm reasonably happy, but we just need more long runs."

Renault test driver Franck Montagny was third on the time sheet, race driver
Jarno Trulli fifth. Montagny completed a ride programme in the R23 and
worked on tyres while Trulli continued with suspension set up and damper
work in the R24.

Williams joined the track action today, with Ralf Schumacher and tester Marc
Gené fourth and fifth respectively. Both were at the wheel of an FW26
chassis and focused on set up and tyres.

Kimi Raikkonen was the better of the McLaren duo, seventh fastest, and
teammate David Coulthard was ninth. Splitting the pair was the Jaguar of
Mark Webber. The Australian's teammate Christian Klien was also on track,
11th. Webber worked on aerodynamics and said progress was being made.

Luca Badoer was again the sole Ferrari, 10th, continuing with tyre and
component testing in the F2003-GA. Michael Schumacher covered 83 laps at
Mugello in the F2004 and set a best time of 1:19.815. The German stays put
at Mugello tomorrow while Rubens Barrichello takes over at Jerez.

The pair of Saubers were nose to tail with Felipe Massa, 12th, leading
Giancarlo Fisichella, 13th. Massa worked on tyres in the C23-03, having a
scheduled engine change, but Fisichella suffered engine problems that
curtailed his track time.

Jordan rounded off the times with Nick Heidfeld 14th and Giorgio Pantano
15th. They also had a troubled time with some parts being mislaid by luggage
handlers at the airport en route to the circuit. Despite this, James
Robinson, head of race and test engineering, said the team's programme was
going well over all.

At Misano in Italy, Minardi concluded its two-day test with Gimmi Bruni
behind the wheel of the PS04B, the Italian setting a best of 1:09.627 over
64 laps. Bruni assessed mechanical components and Bridgestone tyres and
engineers were also pleased with the reliability of the Cosworth engine.
Minardi heads to Imola next week for further testing.






http://www.motorsport.com -- your source for motorsport news on the Internet



--- FIDOGATE 4.4.9