MARCH 20, 2002

Wurz fastest in Barcelona, no-show for Villeneuve

TESTING continued in Barcelona Wednesday, where, for the second day in a row, Alexander Wurz set the fastest time of the day. The McLaren test driver ended the day two tenths of a second quicker than Rubens Barrichello in the new Ferrari F2002, and Luca Badoer, also in a new Ferrari.

Barrichello, in just his second day in the new car, completed a race simulation without any major problems, and teammate Badoer split time between the F2001, conducting tire testing, and F2002 on Wednesday.

Jarno Trulli took over duties from test driver Fernando Alonso for Renault Wednesday, completing 28 laps of the Spanish circuit in the R202.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Marc Gene tested for Williams, and Pedro De la Rosa drove both the Jaguar R3 and R2 to help the team determine which car is faster, and which they will take to San Marino in three weeks. "We've had a constructive day," said a Jaguar spokesman. "We are working on a clinical and methodical program which will not generate any conclusions until Friday. Even then we will have to spend time thoroughly analyzing the data before we decide which car to race at Imola."

Ryan Briscoe completed what he called his first "real F1 test" for Toyota, finishing at the bottom of the time sheet, and Anthony Davidson tested unexpectedly for BAR because Jacques Villeneuve pulled out of the Barcelona test at the last minute. There was no word as to why the Canadian did not show up in Barcelona, but it is no secret that the ex-World Champion is not happy with the package the team has given him this year, notably the Honda engine, which is rumored to be severely underpowered.

BARCELONA TEST - WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH 2002

POS

DRIVER ENTRANT TIME

1.

ALEXANDER WURZ McLaren-Mercedes 1:18.667

2.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Ferrari 1:18.851

3.

LUCA BADOER Ferrari 1:19.204

4.

JARNO TRULLI Renaut 1:19.751

5.

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA Williams-BMW 1:19.832

6.

PEDRO DE LA ROSA Jaguar-Cosworth 1:19.982

7.

MARC GENE Williams-BMW 1:20.751

8.

TAKUMA SATO Jordan-Honda 1:21.098

9.

FELIPE MASSA Sauber-Petronas 1:21.667

10.

ANTHONY DAVIDSON BAR-Honda 1:21.926

11.

RYAN BRISCOE Toyota 1:24.108