By Huw Alban
May 17 2002

Heinz-Harald Frentzen started a two day test at the French Paul Ricard circuit yesterday, and again proved the competitiveness of the Cosworth powered A23 chassis, by recording the 3rd fastest time of the day, just behind the two McLarens. Frentzen completed a trouble free 92 laps of the circuit, but the talk of the day was ex-Arrows driver Toranosuke Takagi making an appearance for the Toyota team. Tora’s test was part of drive to bring together Toyota’s motorsport activities, with the Japanese driver competing in the American CART series for the Walker Racing team.

“The last time I drove in F1 was two years ago,” said Takagi at the end of the day. “For me this was an exciting experience and it is incredible just how much an F1 technology has changed in that time.”

Heinz-Harald will test for OrangeArrows again today (Friday)

Thursday’s times from Paul Ricard:

1. David Coulthard - McLaren 1:13.342 105 laps
2. Kimi Räikkönen - McLaren 1:13.828 75 laps
3. Heinz-Harald Frentzen - Arrows 1:14.157 92 laps
4. Felipe Massa - Sauber 1:14.291 100 laps
5. Mika Salo - Toyota 1:15.019 57 laps
6. Tora Takagi - Toyota 1:16.958 106 laps