APRIL 19, 2001

Schumacher tops times on second day of Mugello test

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER topped the times at the end of the second day of testing at the Mugello circuit in Italy as three teams accumulated data on Thursday.

Schumacher was almost 0.8 seconds quicker than German compatriot Nick Heidfeld who was second fastest for Sauber, while Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello was third quickest.

Heidfeld said: "The progress of our traction control system is promising and we have accrued a lot of data that will beneficial to us in Barcelona. The car felt very good in the wet this morning."

Ferrari concentrated on an electronics and tire program as both Schumacher and Barrichello practised starts during the day in cool track temperatures of 17 degrees Celsius.

Minardi driver Fernando Alonso completed the list of drivers, with a time almost three seconds off Schumacher's best lap.

MUGELLO TEST - THURSDAY, 19 APRIL 2001

POS

DRIVER ENTRANT TIME

1.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1:24.42

2.

NICK HEIDFELD Sauber-Petronas 1:25.09

3.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Ferrari 1:25.20

4.

FERNANDO ALONSO European Minardi 1:27.24