Ralf & Marc 2nd & 3rd on Day five at Jerez

For the first day since the BMW WilliamsF1 team commenced testing another teams car would head the times for the day. Ralf Schumacher and Marc Gene would see McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen first with the WilliamsF1 drivers second and third respectively.

Ralf Schumacher continued in the new FW26, finishing in second only slightly behind the McLaren driver. Ralf would continue to focus on development work of the FW26, including work on mechanical set ups before performing some tyre evaluation work for Michelin in the afternoon. Ralf would complete eighty seven laps, setting a fastest lap time of 1m:16.110. This time was faster than his previous days time. His only problem of the day was minor gearbox issue.

For the BMW WilliamsF1 team test driver Marc Gene would be third fastest, continuing to use a modified FW25. Marc would continue the race simulation he commenced yesterday. The BMW P84 engine in use in Marc's car completed the 800 kilometre test without any problems. In the afternoon Marc would focus on tyre compound testing.

Raikkonen would beat the previous track record, setting the quickest time with a lap of 1m:16.125. But his day would be marred by a huge engine failure.

WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael said: “Ralf and Marc continued the testing schedule today with Ralf concentrating on set up work of the FW26 this morning prior to completing some tyre testing and electronics work this afternoon. Despite the gearbox problem we encountered, Ralf is happy with the new car but has identified some areas which still require improvements. Marc successfully completed the endurance run he started yesterday in the FW25B and finished the session in the FW25A performing some electronics and systems work.”

Both Ralf and Marc will continue testing on Monday.

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps

1. K. Raikkonen, McLaren Mercedes, 1:16.074, 29/32
2. R. Schumacher, BMW WilliamsF1 Team, 1:16.110, 29/87
3. M. Gené, BMW WilliamsF1 Team, 1:16.245, 58/63
4. P. de la Rosa, McLaren Mercedes, 1:17.237, 99/117
5. R. Briscoe, Toyota, 1:18.422, 102/103
6. J. Button, BAR. Honda, 1:18.563, 22/39
7. T. Sato, BAR. Honda, 1:19.837, 32/35