Fernando Alonso and Renault again led the way in testing in Valencia. The World Champion topped the timesheets for the third straight day in his R26.
Alonso and tester Heikki Kovalainen, who was second fastest, both completed race distances during the morning before focusing on tyre development in the afternoon. The team also used the final day to begin pit-stop training, notably practicing tyre changes which will once again be authorised this year during races.
"We have made good progress in our work this week, and obtained some very positive results," explained Chief Test Engineer Christian Silk. “We identified some good directions for the next test sessions, and we will be back in action in Jerez on Wednesday."

Nico Rosberg was third fastest in his Cosworth powered FW28 while Williams opted to run Joao Paulo de Oliveira in the FW27C. It was the Brazilian`s first taste of Formula One.

Pedro de la Rosa was fourth for McLaren Mercedes while Juan Pablo Montoya was just ninth fastest in the new MP4-21 chassis.

Over at BMW Sauber Nick Heidfeld was fifth fastest in the new F1.06 chassis as he worked on Michelin tyre development, fuel system and aero tests. Robert Kubica continued in the C24B also concentrating on the tyre programme. The squad remain in Valencia with Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve completing some wet running tomorrow.

Ralf Schumacher and Ricardo Zonta proved evenly matched for Toyota as the duo took the sixth and seventh best times respectively ahead of Montoya and de Oliveira.

Valencia* - 03/02/2006
1 . F. Alonso - Renault R26 - 1:10.552 (+ 0.000 ) - 144 laps
2 . H. Kovalainen - Renault R26 - 1:10.953 (+ 0.401 ) - 163 laps
3 . N. Rosberg - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1:11.404 (+ 0.852 ) - 53 laps
4 . P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-20B - 1:11.607 (+ 1.055 ) - 96 laps
5 . N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber F1.06 - 1:11.797 (+ 1.245 ) - 83 laps
6 . R. Schumacher - Toyota TF106 - 1:11.851 (+ 1.299 ) - 77 laps
7 . R. Zonta - Toyota TF106 - 1:11.934 (+ 1.382 ) - 112 laps
8 . R. Kubica - BMW Sauber C24B - 1:12.217 (+ 1.665 ) - 86 laps
9 . J. P. Montoya - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1:12.802 (+ 2.250 ) - 71 laps
10 . J.P. de Oliveira Williams Cosworth FW27C - 1:13.918 (+ 3.366 ) - 32 laps.

Times courtesy of Circuit Valencia.

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