The weather conditions were as expected much ...

Published on 24 January 1999 by Verstappen Info Page

The weather conditions were as expected much better then yesterday on the circuit of Jerez. It was a nice, clear, sunny but cool day without any rain. Due to the previous test work, there was more rubber laid down the track making it possible to improve the times from yesterday. While most drivers set their fastest lap-times in the afternoon, Jos Verstappen only used the morning session to drive a total of 32 laps. Nevertheless, Jos was fastest again with his best time in 1:26.027.

Jacques Villeneuve was again best of the rest in 1:26.609 but Rubens Barrichello was close behind him in 1:26.643. Villeneuve had a frightening moment when at the end of the afternoon his rear wing broke completely off, causing a spin off the track. Fortunately the Canadian stepped harmless out of his car. Zonta made a great improvement on his second day of testing, with 1:26.650 he was close behind his teammate. The first big gap was towards Alexander Wurz who drove 1:28.058, followed by Frenchman Laurant Redon. Laurent drove as test driver for the first time in the Benetton, his fastest lap time was 1:29.324. Johnny Herbert again suffered technical problems causing him not to be able to drive below 1:30 this weekend. In the few laps he drove today, his fastest lap time was 1:30.009. Tomorrow, the tests will continue.