Valencia Day 3 – Toyota 8th and 14th fastest


By Nick Sparkes
February 2 2006

Toyota made their return to the testing track this week, this time at Valencia in Spain. After a wet start Ricardo Zonta and Jarno Trulli pilled on the miles in their TF106 to finish in the middle of the pack. Reigning champion Fernando Alonso ended up fastest, ahead of Button’s new Honda.

After the launch of their 2006 machine yesterday, Fernando set the pace in his R26, 0.01 seconds faster than Jenson Button’s Honda.

Michael Schumacher continued to move his Ferrari up the order, posting the third fastest time in his 2006 car. All eyes were on Valentino Rossi in the second Ferrari, and although running in the teams 2004 spec machine, Rossi ended up ninth fastest, which was some improvement over his opening lap off yesterday.

Montoya, Barrichello and Kovalainen finished the day fourth, fifth and sixth respectively with Jacques Villeneuve putting his new BMW in seventh position.

Toyota completed 193 laps with Ricardo Zonta and Jarno Trulli, an upgraded TF106 is expected later on this month.

1 F. Alonso Renault Michelin 01:11.219 52
2 J. Button Honda Michelin 01:11.327 89
3 M. Schumacher Ferrari Bridgestone 01:11.831 72
4 JP. Montoya McLaren Michelin 01:11.998 68
5 R. Barrichello Honda Michelin 01:12.062 112
6 H. Kovalainen Renault Michelin 01:12.113 29
7 J. Villeneuve BMW Michelin 01:12.619 78
8 R. Zonta Toyota Bridgestone 01:12.660 88
9 V. Rossi Ferrari Bridgestone 01:12.856 52
10 D. Coulthard Red Bull Michelin 01:12.930 36
11 A. Wurz Williams Bridgestone 01:12.925 82
12 G. Paffett McLaren Michelin 01:12.937 116
13 M. Webber Williams Bridgestone 01:13.050 67
14 J. Trulli Toyota Bridgestone 01:13.076 105
15 R. Kubica BMW Michelin 01:13.332 65