Nogaro/fiorano Tests: 8 May 1999.

Testing continued for a handful of Formula One teams, with BAR, Sauber and Stewart running at Nogaro in France, and Ferrari at Fiorano in Italy.


Although Williams did not run today [Saturday], its three rivals continued to prepare for Monaco by lapping the tight Nogaro circuit for a second day. Mika Salo - standing in at BAR for the injured Ricardo Zonta - once again topped the times, and proved faster than team-mate Jacques Villeneuve for the second day in succession. The Finn, a Monaco expert, claimed that the two days in France - although interrupted by rain - has proved beneficial.


"For me, it's been really useful to come here," Salo said, "We've had two good test days, and it gave me the opportunity to play with the car, and be more confident with it. We tried lots of different things which we think will suit Monaco, and now I have a better idea of what I need from the car."


Villeneuve pronounced himself "satisfied" with his two day's work, and will go to the Principality "happier and more confident" than in recent weeks.


Between the two BARs lay Pedro Diniz's Sauber and both Stewarts, with Johnny Herbert outpacing Rubens Barrichello. Neither Ralf Schumacher or Alex Zanardi ran for Williams, however.


Michael Schumacher, meanwhile, continued to lap Fiorano as Ferrari prepares for Monaco. The German enjoyed a trouble-free run, completing 69 laps, with a best time of 1min 01.919secs. Luca Badoer is expected to shakedown the Monaco race cars tomorrow.


Finally, McLaren and Prost decamped to Magny-Cours in an attempt to avoid the majority of other teams, but made a pact not to reveal any times from their test.

Leading performances (8 May):


Nogaro:


Mika Salo BAR-Supertec 1min 17.032secs

Pedro Diniz Sauber-Petronas 1min 17.281secs

Johnny Herbert Stewart-Ford 1min 17.626secs

Rubens Barrichello Stewart-Ford 1min 17.776secs

Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Supertec 1min 17.776secs


Fiorano:


Michael Schumacher Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 01.919secs