SEPTEMBER 20, 2001

Wurz fastest in dry conditions at Silverstone

THE weather decided to cooperate Thursday at Silverstone for the final day of testing before the United States Grand Prix. After two days of running on a wet track, the teams were finally able to complete some dry weather testing on the Northamptonshire circuit.

McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz was fastest Thursday, lapping more than 10 seconds faster than Wednesday's wet conditions permitted. He led the field for the second day in a row, followed by Eddie Irvine in the Jaguar and David Coulthards McLaren, who caused the day's only red flag when his car stopped on the track in the afternoon.

The Arrows team, who was not expected to be at Silverstone, arrived on Wednesday, and completed one day of testing with Enrique Bernoldi on Thursday.

Justin Wilson, the new F3000 Champion, spent his second day behind the wheel testing with the Jordan team. The Briton completed 47 laps in the morning before a hydraulic problem with the EJ11 ended his day.

The dry track was a blessing for Benetton, who did not complete any of their planned testing program on Tuesday and Wednesday. They were, however, able to salvage one successful day of testing, working with Michelin on the tire program, evaluating suspension geometry changes, and testing the electronic system for next year's R202.

SILVERSTONE TEST - THURSDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2001 POS DRIVER ENTRANT TIME 1. ALEXANDER WURZ McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.38 2. EDDIE IRVINE Jaguar 1:23.02 3. DAVID COULTHARD McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.43 4. OLIVIER PANIS BAR-Honda 1:24.05 5. PEDRO DE LA ROSA Jaguar 1:24.22 6. JENSON BUTTON Benetton-Renault 1:24.62 7. MARK WEBBER Benetton-Renault 1:24.64 8. JEAN ALESI Jordan-Honda 1:24.79 9. ENRIQUE BERNOLDI Arrows-Asiatech 1:25.22 10. JACQUES VILLENEUVE BAR-Honda 1:26.02 11. JUSTIN WILSON Jordan-Honda 1:26.16

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