Schumacher shines in Valencia testing

PARIS: Ralf Schumacher took his Toyota to the best time as Formula One testing continued in Valencia on Thursday ahead of the new season which starts next month.    

For the first time in three days, the track was dry and the German took full advantage, clocking the fastest lap of 1min 11.297sec, over a second faster than world champion Fernando Alonso managed in his McLaren-Mercedes on Tuesday.    

Alonso timed 1min 11.710sec on Thursday for the fourth best time behind Renault duo Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen.    

Fisichella timed 1min 11.522 with Kovalainen, who has replaced Alonso at Renault, just behind with 1min 11.648sec.    

Kimi Raikkonen, who has replaced the now retired Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, was sixth fastest with 1min 12.360sec.