Tuesday July 3rd, 2001

Two teams - Williams and Benetton - were present at the Barcelona circuit on Tuesday for the first day of testing at the Spanish track.

Spaniard Marc Gene, Williams' test driver, set the pace today, the Catalan driver concentrating on suspension work and Michelin tyre testing, completing 42 laps to finish ahead of the two Renault-powered Benettons.

"The day was okay even though we did not complete all the running we had planned," said Gene. "In the morning we found some chassis developments that are very positive in certain areas, and I am very optimistic about how these will be good for the rest of the season."

Test driver Mark Webber was second fastest ahead of Briton Jenson Button, the Australian being less than three tenths slower than Gene after 44 laps around the Circuit de Catalunya. Button, meanwhile, completed 36 laps and was the slowest of the three drivers on track.

Testing at Barcelona will continue on Wednesday.

Today's times:

Pos  Driver        Team-Engine         Tyres  Time   
 1.  Gene          Williams-BMW        (M)    1:22.263
 2.  Webber        Benetton-Renault    (M)    1:22.509
 3.  Button        Benetton-Renault    (M)    1:22.984
 
All Timing Unofficial

Published at 17:38:58 GMT