F1: Ralf and Coulthard top testing times

By Nikki Reynolds, F1 Editor - Motorsport.com

Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard set the best times, at Jerez and
Barcelona respectively, on the second day of the week's test schedule.
Nineteen drivers from eight teams took to the two Spanish tracks in mixed
weather conditions, and Schumacher was the fastest man on track at Jerez for
the second time this week, a 1:17.785 for the Williams driver. 

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Team tester Marc Gené was third on the time sheet and Nico Rosberg was
behind the wheel of the third Williams. The son of former champion Keke
managed a respectable seventh of the ten drivers present. 

BAR returned to testing with Jenson Button second fastest in the Concept car
and Takuma Sato fourth in the 005 chassis. Ferrari had a trio of test
drivers at work; Luca Badoer, Felipe Massa and Luciano Burti, fifth, sixth
and eighth respectively. All three used an F2003-GA chassis apiece and
worked on tyres, electronics and engine. 

Jordan was the final team on track at Jerez, with new-to-the-team drivers
Nick Heidfeld and Jarek Janis. Ex-Sauber man Heidfeld was back behind the
wheel for the first time since Suzuka, while it was Janis' first time in an
F1 car. Both concentrated on familiarizing themselves with the EJ13 but
Heidfeld was hampered in the afternoon by a technical problem and rain.

At Barcelona Coulthard's fastest was 1:28.114, in the McLaren MP4-19 and
tester Alex Wurz was third in the MP4-17D. Yesterday's fastest man Franck
Montagny was second quickest in the Renault, working on tyres, but his day
was curtailed by an accident, which damaged the car. Repairs we able to be
made but the conditions prevented any further work. 

José-Maria Lopez continued his try-out for the team and Finn Heikki
Kovalianen was also being evaluated. Kovalainen managed only eight laps,
seventh quickest, in the bad weather but was faster than Lopez, who was
eighth, and the Toyota of Ricardo Zonta, ninth. 

Mark Webber and Chritian Klien continued for Jaguar and were fourth and
sixth respectively. Toyota's second test driver Ryan Briscoe, fifth fastest,
completed the line up of drivers on track. 






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