ahead of McLaren teammates David Coulthard (14 points) and Mika Häkkinen (12 points). Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello and Williams' Ralf Schumacher were tied for fourth with nine points. Ferrari led the World Constructors' Championship with 43 points, 17 points ahead of McLaren in second. Williams were third with twelve points, and Benetton and Jordan with eight points each were both fourth. After the on 23 April, all teams conducted in-season testing at the circuit from 25 to 28 April to prepare for the Spanish Grand Prix. Jos Verstappen was the fastest on the first day of testing for Arrows despite spinning into the gravel early in the session, ahead of McLaren test driver Olivier Panis. Michael Schumacher was the quickest on the second day. Michael Schumacher remained the fastest on testing's third day. The session was disrupted as several drivers stopped on the circuit with problems with their cars. On the final day, which was held in wet weather in the morning and during the end of the session, Michael Schumacher again remained quickest. In the week before the race, Coulthard was leasing the Learjet of his friend David Murray when the aircraft developed engine trouble en route to Côte d'Azur International Airport in Nice and crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Lyon-Satolas Airport, France. Coulthard, his then-girlfriend American model Heidi Wichlinski and personal trainer/bodyguard Andy Matthews survived; Murray's personal pilot David Saunders and co-pilot Dan Worley died. Coulthard sustained bruises to his right rib cage and severe grazed elbows in the crash. FIA Formula One Safety and Medical Delegate Sid Watkins declared Coulthard fit to race. Coulthard's survival from the accident was the main focus of comment in the motorsport media before the Grand Prix. British American Racing (BAR) driver Jacques Villeneuve was passed fit prior to the event. At the , Villeneuve sustained a back injury after his seat became loose during the race, and the worsening effects caused him to withdraw from testing in Barcelona. He was also required to undergo physiotherapy. BAR had their official test driver Darren Manning available to replace Villeneuve should the need arise. Some teams modified their cars for the event. Most teams continued to refine the aerodynamic profiles of their vehicles, but did not introduce significant technical innovations at the Grand Prix. Minardi debuted the first titanium constructed gearbox in Formula One. This gearbox was lighter than magnesium gearboxes and provided