AUGUST 16, 2000

Panis tops times at Silverstone for a second day

MCLAREN test driver Olivier Panis topped the times for the second consecutive day at Silverstone on Wednesday.

Panis, who has confirmed that he will drive for British American Racing next year, recorded a fastest lap time of one minute and 24.329 seconds to beat reigning world champion and team-mate Mika Hakkinen into second place.

Briton Jenson Button worked on a set-up for the forthcoming Belgian Grand Prix in his BMW-Williams and posted the third fastest time of one minute and 26.090 seconds.

"We achieved a good mileage today," said Button. "We have worked hard on finding a good set-up for Spa and the team has done a good job here."

Jordan's Jarno Trulli was fourth fastest with a quickest lap of one minute and 26.403 seconds, fractionally quicker than the Arrows of Jos Verstappen (1:26.502) and Jordan team-mate Heinz-Harald Frentzen (1:26.598)

Jaguar pair Eddie Irvine and Johnny Herbert brought up the rear of the field with times of 1:27.863 and 1:28.461 respectively.

Times after testing at Silverstone on Wednesday:

POS DRIVER ENTRANT TIME
Olivier Panis McLaren 1:24.329
Mika Hakkinen McLaren 1:24.560
Jenson Button Williams 1:26.090
Jarno Trulli Jordan 1:26.403
Jos Verstappen Arrows 1:26.502
Heinz-Harald Frentzen Jordan 1:26.598
Eddie Irvine Jaguar 1:27.863
Johnny Herbert Jaguar 1:27.461