Last test before summer break starts

The last test before the three-week summer break started on Tuesday with Silverstone in the UK and Jerez in Spain the circuits in use. Jerez was the slightly busier location with five drivers from three teams in action, while three drivers from two teams were on track at Silverstone.

In clear, warm conditions, Rubens Barrichello set the best time at Jerez, 1:18.592.The Brazilian worked on set up and tyres and Ferrari also had tester Luca Badoer on solitary duty at Monza. Badoer focused on tyres and aerodynamics and set a best of 1:22.438 over 51 laps.

Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta was second quickest in Spain, just three thousandths behind the Ferrari. Race driver Cristiano da Matta was also at work and clocked third fastest, some six and a half tenths off Barrichello.

McLaren had both its test drivers at Jerez, Pedro de la Rosa fourth on the time sheet and Alex Wurz rounding off the times. The team race drivers, meanwhile, tested at Silverstone, Kimi Raikkonen setting the best time of 1:17.649. David Coulthard was second fastest and Jordan's Nick Heidfeld was the third car present.

Barrichello and Badoer continue at their respective tracks tomorrow, as do the McLaren drivers, Toyota and Jordan. Williams, Renault, Jaguar and BAR are also expected to be at work, Jerez being the favoured circuit. The testing ban comes into force after the German GP on July 25th.