Jaguar Barcelona test notes 2002-03-20

Jaguar Racing took to the asphalt at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona today, in pursuit of data which will help it to decide which of its cars to run in Round Four of the world championship at Imola.

Pedro de la Rosa drove a 2001 spec R2 and an R3, completing 76 laps, most of them in this year's car. The team needs to be as sure as possible that the two cars are identically set up if it is to establish a benchmark for further testing and make the most of the data gathered during this week.

"We've had a constructive day," said a team spokesman. "We are working on a clinical and methodical programme which will not generate any conclusions until Friday. Even then we will have to spend time thoroughly analysing the data before we decide which car to race at Imola."

Star driver Eddie Irvine will be back in action at the Spanish track on Friday. The Ulsterman is said to prefer the handling of last year's car, but knows that it will have to demonstrate convincing performance gains if the team is to seriously consider pressing it back into service.

Other teams using 2001 spec machinery at the track today were McLaren, Ferrari and Williams. Alex Wurz topped the times in a McLaren MP4-16B, Ferrari's Luca Badoer took the prize for the most laps driven (109) on his way to third, while Williams' Marc Gene finished seventh quickest, 0.8s behind Pedro de la Rosa.

Rubens Barrichello seemed happy with his first run in Ferrari's 2002 car, putting in the second quickest time. Juan Pablo Montoya meanwhile conducted brake testing in a FW24 to come fifth, 0.1s behind Renault's Jarno Trulli.

Toyota, BAR and Sauber were also present on a sunny day in which there were several red flags but no serious offs.

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