Testing winding down 2003-02-27

Teams continued to wind down their winter testing programmes today with BAR and Renault concluding their pre-season sessions. Jacques Villeneuve topped the times at Imola, his best of the day a 1:21.381 and finished up BAR's winter schedule evaluating Bridgestone compounds for both the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix.

Williams test driver Marc Gene was second quickest and the team continued its dual test programme with Ralf Schumacher at Jerez, the German rounding off the bottom of the times. Both drivers worked on set up for Melbourne.

"We managed a quality endurance run in Jerez which was helpful," said Williams test team manager Tim Newton. "We've finished now in San Marino so there is just one more day of testing for us (Ralf in Jerez tomorrow) before Melbourne."

McLaren test driver Alex Wurz was third fastest followed by Toyota tester Ricardo Zonta. It was Zonta's first visit to Imola with the team and he completed a technical programme started by Cristiano da Matta earlier in the week. Da Matta will take over from Olivier Panis at Jerez tomorrow to conclude Toyota's winter testing.

Panis set the fastest time at Jerez, 1:19.080, in a better day for the Frenchman than yesterday. On his final day, Panis ran a technical programme that was hampered by wet weather previously.

Luca Badoer was second fastest for Ferrari, the test driver doing distance work in the F2002 chassis and development work with the F2003-GA. Ferrari also had Felipe Massa on track at Fiorano, the Brazilian's best time being 57.378. Massa and Badoer continue testing tomorrow.

McLaren drivers David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen were third and fourth quickest, followed by Ralf Schumacher. Allan McNish was the sole car on track at Silverstone and concluded Renault's pre-season tests. McNish completed development work including electronics to be used in the first half of the season.