25/06/2004
NEWS STORY
Six-time World Champion Michael Schumacher topped the timesheets on the final day of testing at Barcelona, posting his fastest time of the year at the Spanish track.
The day's programme centred on concluding the tyre testing and car development work begun on Tuesday. Schumacher completed 109 laps, while teammate Luca Badoer completed 102 laps, posting a best time 1.516s off the pace.
The Italian outfit will be back on track at Fiorano on Tuesday (29th June), when Luca Badoer will begin the shakedown of the cars which will be used at Magny Cours.
Second quickest was Fernando Alonso, who completed 93 laps and finished 0.717s off Schumacher's pace. The Renault driver was once again joined by test driver Franck Montagny.
Felipe Massa was third quickest in the Sauber C23, the Brazilian completed 109 laps. "In completion of our test this week we did a validation of the aerodynamic data which we collected during the past two days and further to this assessed new dampers," said Mike Krack. "In addition we worked with Bridgestone on the rear tyre construction for the British Grand Prix in two weeks as well as on the front tyre construction for Silverstone and the following summer races.
"Overall it was a good test for us which went without technical problems and proved once again the reliability of the car. We ran a lot of laps which enabled us to gather valuable data."
With Christian Klien sidelined following his accident with accident with a cooling fan yesterday, Bjorn Wirdheim was the Milton Keynes outfit's sole representative. The Swede completed 105 laps, finishing 2.086s off the pace.