Imola testing: JV quick but unhappy
author: Hendrik Verwoerd
Jacques Villeneuve set the pace on the first day of a three-day test at Imola today, but he was more concerned about the reliability problems that have plagued his new BAR-Honda.
The Canadian completed just 30 laps of the Italian circuit, with his car spending most of the day in the pits with a combination of hydraulic failure and fuel pick-up problems.
Villeneuve was running with the latest specification of Honda engine in the back of his car. Tomorrow, he will run the definitive Melbourne-spec engine for the first time. "It's a fast car, but we seem to have lots of mechanical problems at the moment," he said. "This specification of engine is a bit less driveable than the original. We'll have a later specification tomorrow, so we'll have to see how that is.
"The car is fast, but if it can't make it to the first pit-stop then it's no good, is it?"
Only two other drivers were present at the circuit today. Marc Gené conducted tyre testing in a 2002-spec Williams, while Cristiano da Matta completed 44 laps in a year old Toyota. The Brazilian did some basic set-up work, but was principally in action so that he could learn the circuit, which he has never driven on before.
Testing continues tomorrow, with Minardi due to run its 2003 car for only the second time.
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