Sunday October 10th, 1999

McLaren quickest in Barcelona test

Seven teams took part in a three day pre-Malaysian Grand Prix test in Barcelona last week where perfect weather conditions the McLaren team take the fastest times of the week. During the test the McLaren team worked on set-up for the remaining two races of the season and tried a new rear wing which may be used in Malaysia. Coulthard took the fastest time of the week with a best of 1m 21,93 on Friday morning. Hakkinen joined the test for the last two days only and was second to Coulthard with a best of 1m 22,09 secs set at the same time.

Schumacher to race in final two races

After an initial decision not to take part in te final two races of the season , Michael Schumacher has now changed his mind following testing in Mugello and Fiorano. In Mugello on Monday he had an accident damaging the front left hand corner of his Ferrari but not himself , but on Wednesday in Fiorano he set the fastest he set the fastest ever lap of the circuit with a 1m 01,19s, slightly quicker than his team-mate Irvine who set a best of 1m 01,23 secs. Irvine ran three days in Fiorano working on set-up and proving the latest development engine (048B) which the team will definitely use in the final two races. On Friday Irvine left in his own jet to Malaysia with a promotional trip via India and Hong Kong. Mika Salo will also accompany the team to Malaysia in case he is needed.

Frentzen on the pace in Barcelona

Heinz Harald Frentzen ran alone for two of the three days for the Jordan team in Barcelona, the German missing the final day on Friday because of other commitments. The team tried a new front wing and revised differential , the German the fourth fastest of the test with a 1m 22,79 secs on Thursday morning before stopping early on Thursday afternoon when he had completed the team's test programme. "The car was pretty good. We didn't go for any quick times. I think we should be pretty close to the leaders in the next two races as we have been in the last couple," said Frentzen.

Herbert tests for Stewart

European GP winner Johnny Herbert was the only driver for the Stewart team throughout the test , the Englishman setting his best time and quickest of the day on Thursday for third overall for the test at 1m 22,16 secs. The team left the circuit on Friday lunch time having completed their set-up and engine work for the final two races. "We should be in good shape for the final two races . We found some speed through suspension geometry changes and we have made other set-up changes that have also improved the car ," said Johnny.

Zanardi and Schumacher for Williams

Alex Zanardi ran the first two days for the Williams team and Ralf Schumacher the last day as the team worked on set-up for the final two races in Malaysia and Japan. Despite a minor off on Wednesday morning, Zanardi had a trouble free practice setting a best of 1m 23,90 secs on Thursday morning. Schumacher ran 35 laps on Thursday for a best of 1m 23,68 secs.

At Zeltweg, BMW's test team ran their latest BMW V10 engine in the latest Williams FW21B test chassis for the first time on a Grand Prix track, using the A1 Ring for three days. The press were invited for one of the test days, Jorg Muller carrying out engine mapping and reliability tests for the as part of a long ongoing development programme at other current Grand Prix circuits for next year's FW22 chassis. A technical problem caused an engine failure after 23 laps. "His time was only two second off what our regular cars did at the Austrian GP , so it was quite an encouraging start ," pointed out Williams Technical Director, Patrick Head. In December testing will continue under the Williams team direction out of the Williams factory.

Three drivers for Benetton

The Benetton team ran two cars throughout the Barcelona test, Alexander Wurz and test driver Laurent Redon opening the testing with Fisichella replacing Redon for the last two days. The team worked on aerodynamic and chassis development as well as differential development throughout the test. Redon only managed 16 laps the first day after being side-lined by an engine failure , although he set a best of 1m 24,860 secs. By the end of the test, Wurz ended up with the quickest Benetton time of 1m 23,87 secs, Fisichella setting a best of 1m 24,12 secs.

Prost run Heidfeld

The 2000 driver Nick Heidfeld was charged with testing for the Prost team in Barcelona where he worked set-up for the regular car in the last two races as well as running the modified A2B chassis equipped with the latest Peugeot A20 engine. Electronic problems Wednesday didn't see Heidfeld get much running in the new car , while on Thursday he ran only two timed laps because of an oil pressure problem. However, he ran 126 laps in the regular AP02 chassis working on set-ups for the final two races as well as development work for next year's car.

Diniz back for Sauber

Pedro Diniz carried out a two day test for the Sauber team following his terrifying accident at the last race. "I am still a bit stiff, but otherwise i have no other problems," said Pedro who ran 134 laps in two days testing a new front wing and revised undertray on the C18. "I think the new undertray is a definite improvement ," added Diniz.

New suspension for Arrows

Although the Arrows team stayed at base working on improving reliability of their cars for the last two races, the team confirmed that they are planning to run a new rear suspension layout in the final two races. De la Rosa shook down the cars at Santa Pod raceway before they were shipped to Malaysia.

Minardi test new brakes

Minardi continued testing new brake discs to be used at the final two races.

Lemarie tests for BAR

Test driver Patrick Lemarie ran the last two days of the Barcelona test completing 92 laps of reliability testing before the final two races. He was slowest on both days with a best time of 1m 25,65 secs for the week. The BAR cars will also get a shakedown test at Santa Pod before leaving for Malaysia.