Ralf and Coulthard top testing times

Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard set the best times, at Jerez and Barcelona respectively, on the second day of the week's test schedule. Nineteen drivers from eight teams took to the two Spanish tracks in mixed weather conditions, and Schumacher ...

Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard set the best times, at Jerez and Barcelona respectively, on the second day of the week's test schedule. Nineteen drivers from eight teams took to the two Spanish tracks in mixed weather conditions, and Schumacher was the fastest man on track at Jerez for the second time this week, a 1:17.705 for the Williams driver.

Nico Rosberg with father Keke.

Photo by BMW PressClub.

Team tester Marc Gen? was third on the time sheet and Nico Rosberg was behind the wheel of the third Williams. The son of former champion Keke managed a respectable seventh of the ten drivers present, working on getting used to the car and completing a long run in the afternoon. Ralf concentrated on tyres and electronics and Gen? on systems.

BAR returned to testing with Jenson Button second fastest and Takuma Sato fourth. Ferrari had a trio of test drivers at work; Luca Badoer, Felipe Massa and Luciano Burti, fifth, sixth and eighth respectively. All three used an F2003-GA chassis apiece and worked on tyres, electronics and engine.

Jordan was the final team on track at Jerez, with new-to-the-team drivers Nick Heidfeld and Jarek Janis. Ex-Sauber man Heidfeld was back behind the wheel for the first time since Suzuka, while it was Janis' first time in an F1 car. Both concentrated on familiarizing themselves with the EJ13 but Heidfeld was hampered in the afternoon by a technical problem and rain.

At Barcelona Coulthard's fastest was 1:28.114, in the McLaren MP4-19 and tester Alex Wurz was third in the MP4-17D. Yesterday's fastest man Franck Montagny was second quickest in the Renault, working on tyres, but his day was curtailed by an accident, which damaged the car. Repairs we able to be made but the conditions prevented any further work.

Jos?-Maria Lopez continued his try-out for the team and Finn Heikki Kovalianen was also being evaluated. Kovalainen managed only eight laps, seventh quickest, in the bad weather but was faster than Lopez, who was eighth, and the Toyota of Ricardo Zonta, ninth.

Mark Webber and Chritian Klien continued for Jaguar and were fourth and sixth respectively. Toyota's second test driver Ryan Briscoe, fifth fastest, completed the line up of drivers on track.