08/03/2005
NEWS STORY
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Today sees the start of a four day test at Jerez, as the teams prepare for the second round of the 2005 Formula One World Championship.
With the race drivers either enjoying a brief holiday before the Sepang event, or carrying out promotional duties, testing will be carried out by the various 'third' and test drivers.
Ferrari begins today, with Marc Gene in action, though he will be joined by Luca Badoer on Thursday.
On Wednesday, BAR, McLaren and Toyota join in. The Brackley outfit will have Anthony Davidson and Enrique Bernoldi on duty, with Olivier Panis and Ricardo Zonta representing Toyota. Alexander Wurz will begin McLaren's preparations before handing over to Pedro de la Rosa on Friday.
Renault and williamsF1 will carry out a brief two-day test at the Spanish track. Antonio Pizzonia will be the Grove outfit's sole representative, while Franck Montagny and Heikki Kovalainen will be on duty for Melbourne winners, Renault.
Now that the season is underway, the agreed test limit comes into force - agreed by everyone except Ferrari that is. The nine other teams have agreed to a limit of just thirty days testing from now until the end of the season.
However, with several teams looking fairly uncompetitive in Melbourne, it remains to be seen how long it takes before some of the teams opt to break the agreement.