DECEMBER 18, 2000

Irvine quickest in wet Estoril test

JAGUAR driver Eddie Irvine recorded the quickest time in a rain-soaked testing session at the Estoril circuit on Monday.

Irvine posted a lap time of one minute, 26.58 seconds and completed 25 laps at the Portuguese circuit.

Benetton's new driver Jenson Button was second quickest with a best lap of one minute, 29.85 seconds as he completed just 14 laps. Button ran in last year's chassis and completed further work with the team's new Michelin tires.

Irvine's Jaguar team-mate Luciano Burti was third quickest with a best lap time of one minute, 30.52 seconds as the Brazilian driver completed 23 laps.

BMW-Williams were represented at the test by new test-driver Marc Gene. The Spanish driver was fourth quickest and over three seconds off the pace as he completed just six laps with a best time of one minute, 33.64 seconds.

Testing continues at Estoril on Tuesday.

Times after Monday's testing at Estoril:

POS DRIVER ENTRANT TIME
Eddie Irvine Jaguar 1:26.58
Jenson Button Benetton 1:29.85
Luciano Burti Jaguar 1:30.52
Marc Gene BMW-Williams 1:33.64