SEPTEMBER 12, 2000

Panis on top in Mugello test

McLaren test driver Olivier Panis demonstrated his intent to shine in the 2001 World Championship with British American Racing by topping the times in testing at Mugello, Italy, on Tuesday.

The Frenchman produced a quickest lap time of one minute and 25.972 seconds, more than 1.6 seconds faster than nearest rival Pedro Diniz, of Sauber.

Italian Luca Badoer, in a Ferrari, performed aerodynamic and tyre testing in advance of the United States Grand Prix in two weeks time.

Sauber handed a debut Formula One test to British Formula Renault 2000 Champion Kimi Raikkonen, of Finland, but the youngster was almost five seconds off Panis' pace.