BMW WilliamsF1 Team test driver Antonio Pizzonia set the pace at Jerez de la Frontera on the penultimate day of testing before the summer break.

With just one day to go before Formula One takes an enforced break from testing, conditions were ideal, with blue skies, bright sunshine and temperatures reaching 38 degrees C.

Both WilliamsF1's test drivers were on duty, with Marc Gene working on set-ups in the morning before focussing on tyre evaluation in the afternoon. Antonio Pizzonia spent the day tyre testing in anticipation of the forthcoming Grands Prix at Hockenheim and Budapest. The Spaniard completed 88 laps, posting a best time of 1:18.454, while the Brazilian completed 83 laps on his way to posting the fastest time of the day, 1:17.388.

Second quickest was Jenson Button, who was joined by Takuma Sato. The Englishman had a troubled day, suffering problems with the car's throttle, gearbox and engine. Consequently, he only managed to complete 27 laps, but still managed to post a best time 0.015s slower than Pizzonia.

BAR's troubles didn't end there however, Takuma also encountered problems, namely his gearbox and exhaust, and though he completed 65 laps, he failed to complete his scheduled programme.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davidson was due to shake down a new chassis, but he too suffered gearbox problems and therefore failed to post a time. The Brackley outfit will be hoping for a trouble-free day tomorrow.

Michael Schumacher was third quickest as he focussed on set-up work as well as tyre and new components testing. Late in the day, the German suffered a puncture which caused him to spin off.

Ricardo Zonta was fourth quickest in the Toyota, the Brazilian running the 'old' car while Olivier Panis, running the heavily-revised TF104B, was 1.2s off the pace. It was a troubled day for the Frenchman as he encountered gearbox and electrical problems.

Renault had Fernando Alonso on duty along with regular tester Franck Montagny. Fernando spent the day testing tyres for Hockenheim and Budapest. He conducted endurance work on the tyre options retained following Montagny's tyre test yesterday, obtaining clear answers from the programme. Franck conducted performance runs as he continued tyre testing from yesterday.

Ahead of the impending summer test ban, both drivers tested engine evolutions for Hockenheim and beyond. Fernando evaluated developments for the forthcoming German race, while Franck concentrated on longer term development.

"Both Fernando and Franck were happy with the car today," said chief test engineer, Christian Silk, "and ran competitively during the day. We obtained clear answers on the tyre programme, and also conducted promising engine development work. Our test will conclude tomorrow, with Heikki once again taking the wheel of chassis 06, while Franck conducts development work on aerodynamic parts destined for the German Grand Prix."

McLaren once again had Pedro de la Rosa and Alexander Wurz on duty, the Woking duo running a pair of MP4-19s as they focussed on tyre testing for the forthcoming German and Hungarian Grands Prix.

Mark Webber and Christian Klien were in action for Jaguar, the Australian evaluating some engine revisions for the Milton Keynes outfit.

Times