Today the Mugello track hosted another session of testing, that will continue until Friday.

Both Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine were in action. After a few laps to tune the new F399 to suit the Mugello track, Michael Schumacher did a grand prix distance simulation run. Everything went according to plan. The F399 did a total of 73 laps with a best time of 1:27.578s.

After doing some set up work on the F 300, Irvine spent the rest of the day component testing. The Irish driver did 54 laps with a best time of 1:29.441s.

The Fondmetal Minardi Ford Team also shared the track with Ferrari; the two Minardi cars were fitted with the new Ford Zetec - R V10 1999 engine. This is the specification that will be used in the forthcoming Australian GP.

During the day, with poor weather conditions, Marc Gene completed 30 laps in the car he had previously tested last week in Barcelona, and recorded a best time of 1:31.691 secs.

In the afternoon, the Spaniard was helped by Luca Badoer, once again lent by Ferrari. The Italian driver, with whom the M01 made its debut at the Mugello track, is one of the candidates in the frame for the vacant Minardi seat. Luca Badoer, who punched a time of 1:33.206 - having done only 6 laps - will join Marc Gene again tomorrow in order to continue the development program and the set up of the 1999 car.

Benetton and Arrows began the first of a two day test at Silverstone today. The teams focused on further development on set-up for Melbourne. Progress was hampered by inconsistent weather conditions.

MUGELLO TIMES

DRIVER          TEAM        TIME        LAPS

M. Schumacher   Ferrari     1.27.578    73
Irvine          Ferrari     1.29.441    54
Gené            Minardi     1.31.691    30
Badoer          Minardi     1:33:206     6

SILVERSTONE TIMES

DRIVER          TEAM        TIME        LAPS

Wurz            Benetton    1:27.400    21 
Takagi          Arrows      1:27.841    26 
Salo            Arrows      1:28.740    23 

UNOFFICIAL