De la Rosa fastest Monza test 2002-09-05

Another busy day at the testing session in Monza, with once again fifteen drivers from ten teams on track and for the first time of the week's session the weather was dry and warm, track temperature around 39C. Jaguar's Pedro de la Rosa set the fastest time of the day, a 1:22.757 over 56 laps. Team mate Eddie Irvine was ninth but only managed ten laps due to a mechanical failure. Both drivers worked on tyres and engine evaluation and set-up.

Second fastest was McLaren's David Coulthard, testing Michelin tyres, followed by the Williams duo of test driver Antonio Pizzonia and Juan Pablo Montoya. Allan McNish was fifth for Toyota despite suffering differential problems in the morning and the Scot worked on mechanical set-up. Mika Salo tested aerodynamic components and was tenth quickest.

Rubens Barrichello took over from Michael Schumacher for Ferrari and set the sixth fastest time. The Brazilian carried out a Bridgestone tyre programme as well as general set-up. Luca Badoer ended a three day test at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, also working on tyres.

BAR were seventh and eighth, Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis respectively, while Giancarlo Fisichella was the sole Jordan on track in eleventh. Honda continued with their string of engine expiries, both Panis and Fisichella suffering failures.

Renault had both drivers present, Jarno Trulli twelfth fastest and Jenson Button fourteenth. Trulli tested Michelin tyres while Button ran a race simulation but the Englishman was hampered slightly by gearbox problems.

Felipe Massa took over duties for Sauber and was thirteenth, testing aerodynamics and brakes. The young Brazilian also wore the Head and Neck Support (HANS) for a race distance. Sauber plan for both Massa and Nick Heidfeld to wear the device for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix and Massa said he was completely comfortable with it.

Mark Webber rounded off the bottom of the times for Minardi. Working on set-up and electronics, Webber had gearbox problems but completed 66 laps. Senior race engineer Andy Tilley said it was a constructive morning until the gremlins struck.