Jerez Test - Day One: 13 December.
Rubens Barrichello became the first driver other than David Coulthard to lead an official test session today [Monday], when he came out on top of the first day at Jerez.
The Brazilian led the way on day one of the third test of the new season, clocking a 1min 39.136secs on behalf of new team Ferrari. Barrichello completed in excess of 100 laps during a long - and damp - day's work, and wound up over a second clear of his nearest rival, despite a run through the gravel trap.
Rubens Barrichello became the first driver other than David Coulthard to lead an official test session today [Monday], when he came out on top of the first day at Jerez.
The Brazilian led the way on day one of the third test of the new season, clocking a 1min 39.136secs on behalf of new team Ferrari. Barrichello completed in excess of 100 laps during a long - and damp - day's work, and wound up over a second clear of his nearest rival, despite a run through the gravel trap.
This turned out to be Jaguar test driver Luciano Burti, driving one of last season's Stewart chassis fitted with a handful of development parts destined for the new, Ford-backed works effort. The Brazilian lapped in 1min 40.276secs, narrowly edging out team-mate Johnny Herbert over the course of 69 laps. Herbert completed some twenty tours fewer in recording a time just over a tenth adrift of Burti, and eagerly awaits the challenge presented by new partner Eddie Irvine, who tests for the first time tomorrow [Tuesday].
Behind the two Jaguar drivers came Marc Gene, testing properly for Minardi for the first time since the practice ban was lifted at the start of the month. The Spaniard was some way adrift of the top three, and contented himself with setting a benchmark time for aspiring F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Giorgio Vinella. The pair were trying the M01 chassis as a reward for their endeavours in FNissan and F3000 Italia respectively.
Sandwiched between the various Minardis, Ricardo Zonta publicly christened the new BAR-Honda pairing, lapping in 1min 42.862secs as he completed a series of data-logging runs for both the Brackley team and its new Japanese engine supplier.
McLaren and Williams are scheduled to join Irvine in making an appearance at the Spanish circuit tomorrow.
Leading performances (13 December):
Rubens Barrichello Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 39.136secs 105 laps
Luciano Burti Jaguar-Cosworth 1min 40.276secs 69 laps
Johnny Herbert Jaguar-Cosworth 1min 40.384secs 46 laps
Marc Gene Minardi-Ford 1min 42.474secs 27 laps
Ricardo Zonta BAR-Honda 1min 42.862secs 32 laps
Fernando Alonso Minardi-Ford 1min 43.474secs 18 laps
Giorgio Vinella Minardi-Ford 1min 45.747secs 18 laps
