McLaren top on Jerez day three

The third day of testing at Jerez de la Frontera saw nine drivers on track and the McLaren test driver duo of Pedro de la Rosa and Alex Wurz were at the top of the time sheet. De la Rosa clocked a best of 1:15.737 on the final day of McLaren's two-day programme, with Wurz just under eight tenths behind. Tyres, suspension, dampers and aero work were the focus of the test.

Pedro de la Rosa.

Photo by xpb.cc.

"With the Chinese Grand Prix just a few weeks away, this test has been important in making sure we make the correct Michelin tyre choice for the race," said de la Rosa. "I will be the team's Friday driver out in Shanghai, and am looking forward to seeing how the work we have done here at Jerez will help us out on the racetrack."

Renault tester Franck Montagny was third on the time sheet and the team also had development driver Luca di Grassi making his debut in an F1 car. The Brazilian rounded off the times in ninth. Christian Klien, who took over from Tonio Liuzzi, was the sole Red Bull present and was fourth quickest.

Test driver Anthony Davidson was fifth fastest for BAR, working on set up and aerodynamics, and Tony Kanaan, another F1 debutante, was also behind the wheel for the Brackley squad. The IRL champion, who has a long association with BAR engine supplier Honda, was seventh overall.

Toyota was the other team at work and had Jarno Trulli sixth and test driver Ricardo Zonta eighth. At Paul Ricard in France Michael Schumacher took over from team tester Marc Gen? to continue tyre work and completed 83 laps with a best time of 1:11.193.