SEPTEMBER 5, 2002

De la Rosa fastest at Monza test

Testing continued at Monza Thursday, where the teams saw their first full day of dry testing this week. Pedro De la Rosa topped the time sheets in the Jaguar R3, conducting tire testing for Michelin.

David Coulthard was second quickest for McLaren. Coulthard was marginally faster than Williams drivers Antonio Pizzonia and Juan Pablo Montoya, all three of whom also conducted tire testing for Michelin.

Allan McNish and Mika Salo were behind the wheel for Toyota, testing new aerodynamic components to be debuted at the Italian GP next weekend.

Rubens Barrichello took over Ferrari testing duties from Michael Schumacher, who was fastest on the first two days of the test at Monza. Barrichello was sixth fastest Thursday, testing for Bridgestone and working on general set-up of the F2002.

Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis were seventh and eighth fastest for BAR, while Giancarlo Fisichella was eleventh for Jordan-Honda, despite suffering a blown engine.

Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button tested for Renault, Button completing a race sumulation, and Felipe Massa also ran a full race distance while getting accustomed to wearing a HANS device.

Mark Webber completed setup work for Minardi, before the gearbox problems that plagued the team at Spa last weekend returned. Alex Yoong will return to the cockpit for Minardi Friday.

Friday will be the final testing day at Monza before the Italian GP next weekend.