Dual testing commences

Testing got under way at Silverstone in the UK and Monza in Italy today, where the weather conditions were equally changeable. Rain showers dictated the proceedings in both countries, Renault's Fernando Alonso topping the times at Silverstone and Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer taking the honours at Monza.

Nine drivers from seven teams took to the Silverstone circuit, Alonso's best of 1:22.086 setting the benchmark time. Teammate Jarno Trulli was also at work, clocking third on the time sheet. The pair worked on set up and tyres.

McLaren debuted the development MP4-19B at Silverstone, Kimi Raikkonen achieving second fastest in the heavily revised car. "My first impression of the car is that it feels good," said the Finn. "As it takes time to develop a car on the track we still have a busy couple of days ahead of us. What is important for me is that the development car seems to feel and behave really well so far. "

The Williams test driver duo of Antonio Pizzonia and Marc Gené were fourth and fifth fastest respectively. Both worked on tyres for the British and Canadian Grands Prix and the team also had Ralf Schumacher on duty at Monza. Ralf also worked on tyres and set up, his programme focusing on Indianapolis. He clocked second quickest in Italy.

Jaguar's Chrisitan Klien posted sixth fastest at Silverstone, working on aerodynamics and tyres, and Toyota's Cristiano da Matta was seventh. Toyota was also testing at Monza, Olivier Panis fourth quickest and test driver Ricardo Zonta sixth. Ferrari joined the trend for dual testing, Michael Schumacher eighth on the time sheet at Silverstone.

The German worked on set up and tyres while team tester Luca Badoer topped the times at Monza. Badoer clocked 1:21.450 for the best of the day in Italy, concentrating on tyres and aerodynamics in preparation for the north American races.

BAR had two drivers on duty, racer Takuma Sato rounding off the times at Silverstone and tester Anthony Davidson third fastest at Monza. Sauber's Felipe Massa was fifth fastest in Italy, working on aerodynamics from data collected in the wind tunnel.