Button stays top at Jerez test

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.

"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 Gen? 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.

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