UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Button keeps V10 on song

Briton tops testing times

(GMM) Jenson Button made a good start to his 2006 campaign by earning 'P1' with his BAR-Honda at the first winter test in Spain.

Switching between V10-powered 2005 and 2004 BAR cars on Wednesday, the Englishman soared nearly two seconds clear of the next man -- a similarly V10-boosted Renault F25 of Frenchman Franck Montagny.

Renault's Jose Maria Lopez (V10) was third, ahead of Christian Klien (Red Bull, V10) and the first V8 in the field; Jarno Trulli's 2006 TF106.

In the other Toyota, Ricardo Zonta struck fuel pump trouble, but went quicker than another V8 -- the BMW-powered Sauber of Nick Heidfeld.

''We still have a lot of work to do,'' said Ricardo Zonta, Toyota's Brazilian test driver.

Happier, however, was BMW boss Mario Theissen. ''It was important that we could run the new engine in the Sauber chassis at this early stage,'' said the German, relieved to have seen a reliable day.

Red Bull veteran David Coulthard, meanwhile, returned to action at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. So, too, did Anthony Davidson -- in BAR's 'concept car' which is fitted with a V8, a new gearbox and rear.

Also back on track was Australia's Mark Webber, in the dark blue Williams, while '06 teammate Nico Rosberg struggled with the Bridgestone-tyred Cosworth V8 with hydraulic and pneumatic faults.

Ferrari, on the other hand, are running at two circuits this week, but staying away from Barcelona. At Valencia, Felipe Massa spun a couple of times in a F2005, while at Mugello, Marc Gene steered a V8-powered F2004 around a wet track.

Written: Thu, 01 Dec 2005 07:58:53