Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda had a drama-free warm-up for the Australian Grand Prix, Heinz-Harald Frentzen setting 10th fastest time with Jarno Trulli 12th. All 11 teams used the half-hour session to make final decisions over car set-ups for the 58-lap race.

"Everything went very well," said Trevor Foster, Managing Director, Jordan Grand Prix. "We had no dramas and completed various checks while running with a full load of fuel. We were looking at things such as brakes - which can be critical at this track - and gathering information to help us make the final decisions on race strategy. The pit stop tactics are pretty clear cut. We will have our usual technical debrief and discuss the various 'what if?' scenarios - such as the Safety Car appearing - which could occur during the race."

Even though there was very light drizzle at the start of the session, this did not affect the warm-up unduly, all 22 drivers staying with dry-weather tyres. Although the conditions were the coolest experienced during the three days so far and the sky heavily overcast, rain is not expected during a race which is due to run for just over an hour and a half.

The McLarens of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen were fastest with pole position man, Michael Schumacher, sixth fastest in his Ferrari after completing only a handful of laps to preserve his engine for the race.

Apart from several drivers running wide at the first corner, there were no incidents. Luciano Burti, who crashed heavily during qualifying yesterday thanks to a suspension failure, took part in the warm-up at the wheel of his repaired car.