Tuesday March 19th, 2002

Formula One teams returned to work only two days after the Malaysian Grand Prix, beginning a four-day test at the Barcelona circuit in Spain.

McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz topped the timesheets on the hot and sunny first session, the Austrian carrying out tyre testing for French manufacturer Michelin at the wheel of the Mercedes-powered car. Wurz outpaced Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, who for the first time drove Ferrari's F2002 chassis.

The World Champions were in action with both the new car and the updated F2001 which they have used at both the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix, and they will decide which machine to take to next week's Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

Barrichello completed a total of 45 laps with the F2002, being less than two tenths of a second slower than Wurz, but nearly a second faster than Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer with the F2001.

"The first impressions of the new Ferrari are good, the car was fast right from the start, but there's still a lot to do in terms of set-up, engine, aerodynamics and tyres," said Barrichello at the end of the day.

"It's still too early to compare it with the Williams and the McLaren."

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who finished in second place behind Williams teammate Ralf Schumacher in Malaysia, was fifth fastest with the FW24, while test driver Marc Gene finished at the bottom of the times with an hybrid version of last year's FW23.

The Williams drivers finished behind Renault's tester Fernando Alonso, who only completed 20 laps and set the fourth fastest time with the French squad's R02.

"Today Fernando tested in chassis 04, completing a valuable shakedown which also involved electronic and systems work," said Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne.

"In the following days Jarno and Jenson will be concentrating on a tyre development programme for Michelin in preparation for the Brazilian Grand Prix."

Testing at the Spanish circuit continues on Wednesday.

Today's times:

Pos  Driver        Team-Engine         Tyres  Time     Laps
 1.  Wurz          McLaren-Mercedes    (M)    1:19.204  75
 2.  Barrichello   Ferrari             (B)    1:19.310  45
 3.  Badoer        Ferrari             (B)    1:20.255  93
 4.  Alonso        Renault             (M)    1:20.711  20
 5.  Montoya       Williams-BMW        (M)    1:20.907  43
 6.  Gene          Williams-BMW        (M)    1:21.541  58

All Timing Unofficial