Williams take charge Barcelona day two

It was a busy day at the Circuit de Catalunya, with 14 drivers on track, in mixed conditions of rain and dry spells. Williams was to the fore with Ralf Schumacher and test driver Marc Gene; Schumacher set a best of 1:17.918, four and a half tenths ahead of Gene.

"It is only two days until the impending test ban takes effect and we have plenty to get through, but today was productive," said test team manager Tim Newton. "Ralf and Marc completed useful mileage and maintained station at the top of the time sheets."

"There has been a high pressure system over Spain for some time, and today we had a typical high temperature, high humidity outlook but thankfully it only rained once briefly this afternoon and our progress was not impeded."

Third on the time sheet was Rubens Barrichello, the Brazilian working on development of the F2003-GA and Bridgestone tyres. Ferrari continued at Mugello with Felipe Massa, also in an F2003-GA chassis, doing distance runs and tyre work.

Kimi Raikkonen was fourth fastest at Barcelona, the Finn in an MP4-17 chassis and testers Pedro de la Rosa and Alex Wurz continuing in the MP4-18 cars. The test driver pair were 12th and 13th respectively.

Nick Heidfeld took over from Heinz-Harald Frenzen, the Sauber man fifth quickest. Heidfeld worked on the C spec Petronas engine although the programme was interrupted by rain showers. Aerodynamics and set up is the order of the day tomorrow.

BAR had three cars on track, Jenson Button sixth and test drivers Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson seventh and fourteenth.

Cristiano da Matta continued for Toyota, seventh, running a Michelin tyre programme and set up work. Olivier Panis will take over tomorrow. Renault tester Allan McNish, ninth, racked up the most laps of the day, a huge 146, also working on tyres and beginning an aerodynamic evaluation.

Mark Webber started Jaguar's test and set the tenth best time of the day. The Australian worked on aerodynamics. Jordan's Ralph Firman had a busy first day with set up, tyres, brakes and aerodynamics and was eleventh.