Silverstone test ends with another busy day

The scheduled three day test at Silverstone ended today with the same five treams on duty and a slight switch of drivers. Ferrari continued with Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa, Williams with Juan Pablo Montoya and BAR with Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button. Jaguar swapped Antonio Pizzonia for Mark Webber and Sauber exchanged Nick Heidfeld for Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

The day started warm but cloudy but by the end of the session it was hot sunshine and a stiff breeze. Montoya concluded Williams' three day test and set the fastest time, a 1:19.585, working on set up for the British Grand Prix and aerodynamics for the European GP. The Colombian bought the session to a halt near the end of the day, the car being bought back to the pits on a truck but it appeared to have suffered no damage.

"Throughout the test this week, the team has focused on set up work of the FW25 as well as completing some tyre testing for the imminent European races," said chief operations engineer Sam Michael. "

"We also ran various mechanical components for the gearbox and the engine along with some new aero parts in preparation for Nurburgring. The development of the car is definitely progressing well from the aerodynamic and mechanical side so we're fairly confident of securing some more valuable points in the next few races."

The Ferrari trio were second, third and sixth with Schumacher, Barrrichello and Massa respectively. No apparent mishaps for the team today -- Massa continued with Bridgestone tyres and the pair of race drivers worked on set-up and electronics for the next two races.

Frentzen was fourth quickest to conclude for Sauber, taking over from Hedifeld on the final day. Villeneuve and Button wrapped up for BAR, fifth and seventh respectively. Over the three day test, BAR worked on aerodynamics, a new Honda engine and Bridgestone tyres. On day one test driver Takuma Sato did all the running as other tester Anthony Davidson was sidelined due to a crash in the 24hrs Le Mans last weekend.

Mark Webber was the final runner and had a problematic afternoon. Twice the Jaguar driver halted the session briefly -- the first time the car returned intact, being towed by rope behind a recovery vehicle and the second time Webber had a stroll back to the garage from the pit lane exit after a suspected brake problem.