Badoer tops Imola test

It seems like a while since a Ferrari was at the top of the test times but Luca Badoer set the fastest at Imola on Thursday, a 1:31.076 in the F2003-GA. Badoer worked on tyres in similar wet conditions to the other two tracks used for testing today.

At Mugello, Michael Schumacher's development work on the F2004 was suspended due to poor conditions, the German only managing an installation lap before quitting for the day.

Second fastest at Imola was Renault's Jarno Trulli and teammate Fernando Alonso was fifth. On the last day of the team's test Trulli was delayed by hydraulic problems while Alonso completed the first mileage on his A spec engine. Renault moves to Silverstone next week for its final test before Melbourne.

The Sauber pair of Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa continued to look improved, third and fourth respectively. It was the team's last test prior to the start of the season and the drivers took advantage of the wet conditions to work on tyres and set up.

Jordan wound up its penultimate test of the winter with Giorgio Pantano sixth and Nick Heidfeld seventh. The pair practiced refueling pit stops and wet set up work. Jordan joins Renault at Silverstone next week for its final pre-season test.

Minardi concluded its pre-season testing, Zsolt Baumgartner rounding off the times in eighth. The Hungarian wrapped up a technical test of aerodynamics, set up and tyres and the Cosworth engine completed over 1,000 km reliably during the team's the two-day test.