After two weeks of back-to-back Grands Prix, the Formula One teams went back to testing, ahead of the last third of the 1999 season. Four teams tested today at Silverstone, with McLaren's David Coulthard topping the timesheet for the first day with a 1:27.082. Tomorrow, more teams and drivers are scheduled to join the testing at Silverstone.

Pos  Driver     Team               Time    
 1.  Coulthard  McLaren-Mercedes   1:27.082
 2.  Frentzen   Jordan-Mugen Honda 1:27.864
 3.  Heidfeld   McLaren-Mercedes   1:28.876
 4.  Burti      Stewart-Ford       1:28.960
 
Track length: 5.140 km
'99 pole: M. Hakkinen (McLaren) 1:24.804
'99 fastest test time: G. Fisichella (Benetton) 1:25.670

Prost and Sauber were also testing, though on the Mugello track. No times have been released as yet from that session. Meanwhile, at Fiorano, Ferrari began testing in preparation of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Mika Salo tested different set-up and aerodynamic solutions for the Budapest track. The Finn driver finished testing around 6 PM and completed a total of 66 laps, with a best time of 1:03.055.

Testing at Silverstone, Mugello and Fiorano continues tomorrow.