Tuesday December 5th, 2000

McLaren's David Coulthard set the fastest time on the first day of the official FIA winter testing session at Jerez - some half a second faster than the testing lap record at this Spanish circuit.

McLaren's ex-test driver and BAR's 2001 new recruit, Olivier Panis, was second fastest, more than half a second behind Coulthard.

"We tested mostly the tyres and a low downforce to prepare for next year's likely regulations," Coulthard said.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello set the third best time for Ferrari after spinning twice. His teammate, world champion Michael Schumacher, is not taking part in the tests and neither is McLaren former Champion Mika Hakkinen.

Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, still waiting to hear whether he will be allowed to race without an FIA superlicence, was seventh quickest as he completed 48 laps for the Sauber team.

Eddie Irvine set the fifth fastest time for Jaguar, and was the fastest among the Michelin-fitted runners. Other debuts included Juan Pablo Montoya, making his first appearance as Williams's driver. The Colombian ran for 72 laps and ended the day 11th fastest, over a tenth of a second slower than his teammate, Ralf Schumacher. And, another old face in a new car, was Jenson Button, making his first appearance with Benetton.

Testing at Jerez resumes tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos  Driver        Team-Engine         Tyre  Time    
 1.  Coulthard     McLaren-Mercedes    (B)   1:22.630
 2.  Panis         BAR-Honda           (B)   1:23.360
 3.  Barrichello   Ferrari             (B)   1:23.810
 4.  Heidfeld      Sauber-Petronas     (B)   1:24.050
 5.  Irvine        Jaguar-Cosworth     (M)   1:24.330
 6.  Manning       BAR-Honda           (B)   1:24.490
 7.  Raikkonen     Sauber-Petronas     (B)   1:24.580
 8.  Zonta         Jordan-Honda        (B)   1:24.590
 9.  Button        Benetton-Renault    (M)   1:24.990
10.  R.Schumacher  Williams-BMW        (M)   1:25.220
11.  Montoya       Williams-BMW        (M)   1:25.357
12.  de La Rosa    Arrows-AMT          (B)   1:25.740
13.  Trulli        Jordan-Honda        (M)   1:25.920
14.  Burti         Jaguar-Cosworth     (M)   1:26.330
15.  Wurz          McLaren-Mercedes    (B)   1:27.560
16.  Gene          Williams-BMW        (M)   1:29.450

Lap record: 1:23.135 (Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Williams-Renault, 1997) 
Testing Record: 1:23.241 (Eddie Irvine, Jaguar Cosworth, 2000)

All Timing Unofficial