FPAUDI: Speedy Wilson impresses again in Spanish test

Justin Wilson's excellent preseason form continued this week after setting the fastest times in two of the four sessions in the second F3000 test of the year.

On the Spanish circuit of Jerez, Wilson was quickest in the two afternoon sessions and was just pipped to the top spot in the morning periods by fellow Briton Darren Manning.

Justin Wilson was in high spirits as he left the circuit for the airport. "I'm very pleased. We were quick in the hotter afternoon sessions and this is a good indicator to how the car will perform during a race, which is encouraging. Jerez is very hard on tyres and made setting a fast time more difficult than normal, but on new rubber we were much quicker. Overall we are very happy how the car performed."

This test, coupled with his outstanding performance last week at Imola, has confirmed the 1998 FPA champion's position as one of the preseason favourites and become the first Briton to lift the International Formula 3000 title.

Silverstone is the venue for the final F3000 test next month before the teams head off to Brazil for the seasons opening round at Interlargos on March 31st.

<pre> Jerez - Days 1 & 2 - OVERALL TIMES

1       Darren MANNING          Arden Team Russia       1:33.208
2       Justin WILSON           Coca Cola Nordic Racing 1:33.453  +0.245
3       Sebastien BOURDAIS      DAMS                    1:33.595  +0.387
4       Tomas ENGE              Coca Cola Nordic Racing 1:33.893  +0.685
5       Derek HILL              DAMS                    1:34.031  +0.823
6       Viktor MASLOV           Arden Team Russia       1:34.164  +0.956
7       Bas LEINDERS            KTR                     1:34.279  +1.071
8       Nicolas FILIBERTI       Prostar                 1:34.762  +1.554
9       Joel CAMATHIAS          KTR                     1:36.051  +2.843

Day 1 (Morning)

1       Darren MANNING          Arden Team Russia       1:33.803
2       Justin WILSON           Coca Cola Nordic Racing 1:34.212  +0.409
3       Sebastien BOURDAIS      DAMS                    1:34.279  +0.476

Day 1 (Afternoon)

1       Justin WILSON           Coca Cola Nordic Racing 1:34.445
2       Viktor MASLOV           Arden Team Russia       1:35.311  +0.866
3       Derek HILL              DAMS                    1:35.330  +0.885

Day 2 (Morning)

1       Darren MANNING          Arden Team Russia       1:33.208
2       Justin WILSON           Coca Cola Nordic Racing 1:33.453  +0.245
3       Sebastien BOURDAIS      DAMS                    1:33.595  +0.387

Day 2 (Afternoon)

1       Justin WILSON           Coca Cola Nordic Racing 1:34.681        
2       Sebastien BOURDAIS      DAMS                    1:34.797  +0.116
3       Darren MANNING          Arden Team Russia       1:35.380  +0.699

-Formula Palmer Audi