Just five drivers, representing five teams, stayed on for a final day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona.

After a week of ideal weather conditions, the circuit was today artificially flooded in order to allow five of the Michelin-shod teams to get in some vital wet-weather running.

Once again, Webber encountered gearbox problems, though it's not known if these were the cause of a spin which put him out of action for much of the day. Both the Australian and teammate Antonio Pizzonia have been plagued by gearbox problems during the 5-day test.

That said, the Australian remains positive: "This week was a really good week," he said. "I've enjoyed working with everyone on the team and I think I've fitted in well.

"Although we encountered some problems at the start of the test, we managed to work through them and resolve them fairly quickly. I'm happy with the car, and the work the guys at BMW do, and I know there's great potential within the team.

"I'm relieved that this first test is now out the way and we can start working really hard over the next few months.

Second quickest, and only 0.046s off the pace was McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa. Like the other drivers on duty, the Spaniard was evaluating various wet-weather tyres in addition to running with 2005-spec downforce levels. Most drivers described the new experience of running in the wet with lower downforce levels as "interesting".

Ricardo Zonta was third quickest, the Brazilian completing 103 laps on his way to posting a best time just 0.220s off Webber's pace.

Takuma Sato, who has been nursing a shoulder injury, was fourth fastest, the Japanese driver admitting that he had been "dreading" running in the wet with the new downforce levels.

Propping up the timesheets was Franck Montagny, who span off after 108 laps, damaging his car and bringing the French team's session to an early end.

Times