BAR tops testing times

Testing continued on two tracks today and BAR topped the times at both Silverstone and Monza. Test driver Anthony Davidson headed the times at Silverstone, 1:20.611, and Takuma Sato set the best time at Monza, 1:18.089. Better conditions than yesterday at both circuits saw a lot of activity, seven drivers from five teams on duty at Monza, and 12 drivers from eight teams on track in the UK.

Most teams continued with a dual test programme -- Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer was second fastest at Monza, while Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were third and fifth quickest respectively at Silverstone. Schumacher and Barrichello worked on tyres and set up for the British GP, while Badoer focused on tyres and new components.

Ralf Schumacher continued for Williams at Monza, third on the time sheet, and Juan Pablo Montoya and tester Antonio Pizzonia were sixth and ninth respectively in the UK. Montoya's programme was tyres and set up, Pizzonia on suspension and systems checks. Ralf focused on long runs in preparation for Indianapolis and also on brakes and aerodynamics for the Italian GP.

Kimi Raikkonen carried on development with the new McLaren MP4-19B at Silverstone and was fourth fastest, while teammate David Coulthard put in 120 laps at Monza, sixth quickest.

"Another productive test session but its still early days but so far, so good," said Raikkonen. "The development car seems to be a lot more stable which is one of the things we have been trying to encourage so that is positive."

"We had a small problem with the brake ducts which took some time to fix but that sort of thing is pretty normal when you develop and test a car on the track. I will continue my testing duties tomorrow (Thursday) when we should be able to make further progress."

Toyota continued on both tracks, Cristiano da Matta second fastest in the UK and tester Ricardo Zonta and Olivier Panis fourth and fifth in Italy.

Sauber's Felipe Massa rounded off the Monza times, a drive shaft problem damaging the rear suspension, which forced the team to cut short its day. Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso continued for Renault at Silverstone, seventh and eighth fastest. The pair worked mostly on tyres and set up and Alonso suffered a blown engine.

Christian Klien was the sole Jaguar on track, posting 10th fastest in the UK, continuing work on aerodynamics and tyres. Jordan's Nick Heidfeld and Giorgio Pantano rounded off the times, Heidfeld ahead. Both worked on set up and tyres, Pantano's day being curtailed by a gearbox problem.