McLaren remains on top

With the arrival of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team in Barcelona for two days of testing over the weekend, both the McLaren and Benetton team's decided to extend their testing programme in Barcelona, the three teams running both days in continuing cool but sunny weather.

The McLaren team were quickest on both days. Coulthard running on Saturday with a best time of 1m 21,888 secs in the new MP4/14 chassis during 52 laps. On Sunday Hakkinen took over the new car and ran just 31 laps with a best of 1m 21,217 secs, a fraction slower than his previous best on Thursday, the Finn stopping early after an hydraulic problem.

Schumacher on the pace

In the first major test with the new Ferrari 399 on the same track as its rivals, Michael Schumacher showed that the new car is on the pace with second fastest time on both days just outside the McLaren times. On Saturday he ran a trouble free 54 laps and then on Sunday completed 71 laps despite stopping on his first lap with an engine problem. A fresh engine was fitted and he went on to complete 71 laps for the day with a best of 1m 21,690 secs. The team will continue testing this week in Mugello for three days starting Wednesday.

Fisichella for Benetton

Giancarlo Fisichella drove both days for Benetton, the Italian running 65 laps on Saturday focussing on a race simulation with a best time of 1m 23,387 secs. On Sunday he worked on chassis set- up and took a best time of 1m 22.011 secs running just 28 laps all day.