Luca Badoer topped the timesheets at Barcelona today, outpacing Fernando Alonso by 0.313s, and his own teammate, World Champion Michael Schumacher by 1.281s.

The Italian outfit's programme centred on a continuation of the tyre testing and car development work begun on Tuesday. Badoer completed a total of 102 laps, while the German did 71 laps. Both drivers continue testing here tomorrow.

Once again, Renault had Fernando Alonso and Franck Montagny on duty, between them they completed 193 laps.

Fernando conducted suspension and set-up work during the day, in addition to set-ups in anticipation of the Silverstone qualifying rule changes. Franck conducted a ride programme throughout the day.

Fernando also tested tyre compounds for Silverstone, confirming the conclusions of the test earlier this month.

"Once more, it was a productive day for the team," said chief test engineer, Christian Silk. "We ran both engines to their maximum mileage today without any problems, changed them and continued our programmes in the afternoon. In light of this, to complete nearly 200 laps is very reassuring. Both drivers conducted full programmes, and we drew interesting conclusions from their work. Our work for the new qualifying format was also promising, and Fernando was pleased with the car's handling in this configuration."

Jaguar had three drivers on duty, though one of them, Christian Klien, will play no further part in the Barcelona test.

The Austrian was involved in a freak accident, as team spokesman Nav Sidhu explains: "In an effort to cool himself, Christian picked up a brake duct-cooling fan but unfortunately let the forefinger of his right hand slip through the protective grill. The top of his finger was sliced quite deeply but not as far as the bone itself. It is quite a substantial flesh wound and cannot be simply stitched together.

"He has been given a tetanus injection in order to avoid any further contamination, especially from carbon fibre," added Sidhu. "The wound has been heavily bandaged and we are confident of the healing process being successful prior to the French Grand Prix. Mark Webber will instead take Christian's place at the test tomorrow."

It wasn't all bad news for the Milton Keynes outfit however, Mark Webber posted the fourth fastest time of the day, albeit 1.454s off the pace, but completed the most laps (122). Klien's best time of the day was a 1:17.235, while Bjorn Wirdheim could only manage 1:18.025.

Fifth fastest was Felipe Massa, whose teammate Giancarlo Fisichella topped the timesheets yesterday. The Brazilian completed 82 laps and posted a best time 2.130s off Badoer's pace.

"Our test today went well and according to schedule," said Mike Krack. "We concentrated on further Bridgestone work and evaluated the tyre compound for Silverstone as well as the tyre construction for the forthcoming races. In the early afternoon we changed the engine as it has reached its mileage.

"For tomorrow we have planned some aerodynamic checks and the assessment of new dampers. The validation particularly of the collected Bridgestone tyre data is also on our schedule."

Times