Barcelona test - day three: 20 January.

David Coulthard set the quickest time on the third day of F1 testing [Thursday] at Barcelona as preparations continue for the 2005 season.

The Red Bull Racing man set an impressive fastest lap-time of 1m 16.130s, second only to the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher over the course of the three days testing so far at the Spanish venue.

Behind DC, Antonio Pizzonia and Nick Heidfeld completed a three day test for Williams by finishing second and third - although the problems encountered by the team on Wednesday again affected the drivers time on track, with the duo restricting running until the afternoon where they focused on tyre testing and practice starts.

"We experienced a couple of hindrances during the test this week in Barcelona," test team manager Tim Newton said. "On the first day, Mark and Antonio had to get used to the new track surface, but both drivers still recorded some good mileage on the interim chassis while testing new parts for the FW27.

"On Wednesday, we suffered a technical problem with the suspension. Running was therefore put on hold while the problem was identified and until we had received some new parts from the factory. As a result, we had restricted running until Thursday afternoon when we were able to do some tyre testing and carry out practice starts.

"We are now heading to Valencia for a three day test next week, starting on Tuesday with Nick and Antonio. In the meantime, everyone's hard work, both at the track and at the factory, to solve the problem with the suspension quickly and effectively should be recognised."

Olivier Panis in the lead Toyota ended the day with the fourth quickest time ahead of Christian Klien and the second Toyota of Jarno Trulli with Rubens Barrichello - taking over testing duties for Ferrari from World Champion Michael Schumacher - setting the seventh fastest time as the team continued with development work on new electronic solutions, new components and Bridgestone tyres.

As on the previous two days, Ralf Schumacher was the slowest runner on track, although his lap time of 1m 17.402s was his quickest of the week.

Testing continues tomorrow [Friday].

Leading times (20 January) - Barcelona:

1. David Coulthard Red Bull-Cosworth 1m 16.130s 64 laps
2. Antonio Pizzonia Williams-BMW 1m 16.230s 45 laps
3. Nick Heidfeld Williams-BMW 1m 16.951s 43 laps
4. Olivier Panis Toyota-Toyota 1m 17.010s 103 laps *
5. Christian Klien Red Bull-Cosworth 1m 17.035s 77 laps
6. Jarno Trulli Toyota-Toyota 1m 17.321s 78 laps *
7. Rubens Barrichello Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 17.402s 57 laps #
8. Ralf Schumacher Toyota-Toyota 1m 17.890s 72 laps *

[# denotes Bridgestone tyres, all others on Michelin; * denotes 2005 car]

Track conditions: Sunny/Dry

All times unofficial - courtesy of BMW Williams.

Comparative lap times:

Spanish GP 2004:

Fastest lap: Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1min 17.450secs Pole position: Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1min 15.022secs