More of the Same in Final Day at Jerez
By Jamie Makin
February 10 2005
Team SAUBER PETRONAS completed its three-day test at the Circuito Permanente de Jerez today with comparable results to the prior two days. Felipe Massa was the fastest SAUBER with a time of 1:17.273 and 109 laps.
His time only ranked him fifth fastest of the day's sixteen runners, but remains consistent for the week. Teammate Jacques Villeneuve again struggled and has admitted he needs more time to adapt to the C24. He ran 110 laps but could only manage a best time of 1:19.022.
Despite Villeneuve's frustrations, part of the times are a result of different test programmes between the two drivers. "Today we compared different pre-selected Michelin tyres in long-runs to simulate race conditions whereby Felipe focused on preparations for the Australian Grand Prix and Jacques on Sepang," explained Jacky Eeckelaert, the team's Chief Race Engineer. "Jacques also ran further damper tests. He was forced to stop just before the end of today's test session due to technical problems which now need to be investigated."
"Despite of the bad weather and track conditions on Tuesday morning we were able to complete our scheduled programme for the week. Compared to our last test in Barcelona we improved the car and made progress. We believe that we can expect another step forward at our final pre-season test in Imola."
That test will take place from 19 to 21 February and both drivers are expected to be in action all three days.
| P | Driver | Team | Engine | Car | Tyre | Best Lap | Gap |
| 1 | Alonso | Renault | Renault | R25 | M | 1:15.732 | -:--.--- |
| 2 | Montoya | McLaren | Mercedes | MP4/20 | M | 1:16.448 | 0.716 |
| 3 | Fisichella | Renault | Renault | R25 | M | 1:16.654 | 0.922 |
| 4 | Trulli | Toyota | Toyota | TF105 | M | 1:16.743 | 1.011 |
| 5 | Massa | SAUBER | PETRONAS | C24 | M | 1:17.273 | 1.541 |
| 6 | Coulthard | Red Bull | Cosworth | RB1 | M | 1:17.526 | 1.794 |
| 7 | R Schumacher | Toyota | Toyota | TF105 | M | 1:17.773 | 2.041 |
| 8 | Button | BAR | Honda | BAR007 | M | 1:17.989 | 2.257 |
| 9 | Webber | Williams | BMW | FW27 | M | 1:18.048 | 2.316 |
| 10 | M Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari | F2004M | B | 1:18.119 | 2.387 |
| 11 | Sato | BAR | Honda | BAR006 | M | 1:18.150 | 2.418 |
| 12 | Barrichello | Ferrari | Ferrari | F2004M | B | 1:18.266 | 2.534 |
| 13 | Klien | Red Bull | Cosworth | RB1 | M | 1:18.517 | 2.785 |
| 14 | Heidfeld | Williams | BMW | FW27 | M | 1:18.735 | 3.003 |
| 15 | Villeneuve | SAUBER | PETRONAS | C24 | M | 1:19.022 | 3.290 |
| 16 | Liuzzi | Red Bull | Cosworth | RB1 | M | 1:20.118 | 4.386 |
For full 2005 pre-season test results click here.