Monday January 14th, 2002

Four Formula One teams - McLaren, Williams, Renault and Jaguar - got back to action on Monday to begin testing at the Valencia circuit, only a few days after finishing a five-day session at the Barcelona track also in Spain.

The four Michelin-shod squads worked behind closed doors as the circuit was artificially watered to test the French manufacturer's wet-weather tyres. McLaren's David Coulthard, driving last year's car, was the quickest man today, setting a fastest lap of 1:30.750 after a massive 94 laps around the Ricardo Tormo track.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was second quickest in the only Williams present at the circuit, finishing the session ahead of Italian Jarno Trulli in the first Renault. Eddie Irvine was the quickest of the Jaguar duo, posting the fourth quickest time ahead of Finn Kimi Raikkonen in the second of the McLarens. Irvine's teammate Pedro de la Rosa was slowest, as both the Jaguar drivers worked at the wheel of the old R2 chassis.

Jenson Button, driving the second Renault B201, was sixth quickest after suffering the most spectacular incident of the session. The Brit lost control of his car on the back straight and ended up in the gravel trap, fortunately not damaging his car.

Testing at Valencia will resume on Tuesday, when the Toyota, Jordan and Minardi teams are expected to join the session.

Today's times:

Pos  Driver        Team-Engine         Tyres  Time    Laps   
 1.  Coulthard     McLaren-Mercedes    (M)    1:30.750  94
 2.  Montoya       Williams-BMW        (M)    1:31.300  93
 3.  Trulli        Renault             (M)    1:32.060  66
 4.  Irvine        Jaguar-Cosworth     (M)    1:32.180  76
 5.  Raikkonen     McLaren-Mercedes    (M)    1:32.703  62
 6.  Button        Renault             (M)    1:34.333  70
 7.  De la Rosa    Jaguar-Cosworth     (M)    1:34.420  87

All Timing Unofficial

Published at 17:42:40 GMT