Latest News

Source: FIA
Friday 15 February 2002

SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO : SCHUMACHER HAPPY WITH NEW CAR
The Ferrari F2002 has proved quick straight out of the box, proving quick enough to break the Fiorano lap record with a lap in 58.620s on its first test with Michael Schumacher at the wheel. The car was run in its basic version without the final aerodynamic specification. Schumacher completed 181 laps in four days with only minor problems. He later improved his time to 58.378s which is the fastest ever Fiorano lap time. On Thursday the programme moved to Mugello but stopped after 36 laps due to a mechanical problem after Schumacher had managed a 1m23.650s. "It is just better than last year's car which you can see from the lap times", said Schumacher. He will continue testing today before handing the car to Rubens Barrichello on Saturday after which the team starts a three day test at Imola on Monday. By noon today (Friday) the F2002 should have completed 1000km and the second F2002 will be available next week for Barrichello at Imola, although the F2001 keeps running as well. No official decision has been made as to whether the new car will be raced in Melbourne. But Schumacher is confident: "It gives me a very good impression and I am sure we will be racing it in Australia".

WEST McLAREN MERCEDES : BACK AT VALENCIA
After David Coulthard's high speed accident at Barcelona last Friday, which badly damaged one of the MP4/17s after a rear tyre punctured at 300kph, the Scot remained at the circuit for another day's running on Saturday during which he successfully completed 400km. This week the team moved to Valencia where Alexander Wurz and Kimi Raikkonen also continued tyre and engine development programmes in preparation for the first race of the season. Raikkonen was fastest on Thursday with a 1m 10.937s ahead of Wurz on 1m 11.914s.

BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM : STARTING AT ESTORIL
The BMW Williams team is starting a three day test at Estoril today (Friday) with a single FW24 which will be shared by Ralf Schumacher and either Marc Gene or Antonio Pizzonia. Last Sunday the team's Valencia test ended on a high note with Juan Pablo Montoya posting a 1m 10.997s best which was 0.6sec quicker than the fastest time recorded by the rival McLaren MP4/17 up to that point. After no fewer than 15 days testing at Barcelona and Valencia, separated only by the weekend of February 2/3 while the cars switched locations, the team spent this week back at base preparing cars for Australia. It is expected that the final shakedown of a single car will take at Valencia from Wednesday to Friday of next week.

SAUBER PETRONAS : PREPARING FOR FINAL MUGELLO TEST
The Sauber Petronas team is preparing two C21s for the final pre-season test at Mugello which will start tomorrow (Saturday) and last for three days with both drivers. Felipe Massa's C21, which had two crashes in Valencia testing, has now been repaired; the second shunt was quite heavy, damaging one side crash structure in the impact. Mugello will see the team concentrate on tyre testing and the final checking of aerodynamic developments.

JORDAN HONDA : NEW CAR POISED FOR LAUNCH
The final race livery of the new Jordan-Honda EJ-12 will be unveiled at Brussels airport on Friday 22 February just prior to the team packing up its cars for departure for Melbourne. Meanwhile the team completed a three day test at Barcelona on Wednesday. The programme started on Monday with Marcel Lasee joining Takuma Sato, Lasee driving the EJ-12 in order that Giancarlo Fisichella could spend an extra day recuperating from the bruised knee he sustained in an accident at Valencia the previous week. Foggy weather caused the first day's test to start late and Sato managed a 1m 21.59s, third fastest on the day, after a productive spell working on engine mapping and aerodynamic development. Lasee completed 60 laps for a best of 1m 22.61s after working on brakes and also tyre testing for Bridgestone. Fisichella duly joined the test on Wednesday and successfully covered 38 laps for a 1m 20.52s best although in the afternoon the engineers spent some time resolving a minor systems problem wth his car. Sato meanwhile managed a 1m 21.55s. On Thursday Sato managed a 1m 18.95s after race simulation work and general set-up evaluation. Fisichella did a 1m 20.36s, commenting: "We had a couple of problems this week but overall it's been productive, particularly the last day as it was good to do a race distance. My confidence in the car and new engine increases every day".

LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA : PREPARING FOR PAUL RICARD TEST
The Lucki Strike BAR Honda team returned this week from its comprehensive Valencia test where it put the preliminary elements of the Melbourne technical package through their paces. Olivier Panis and Jacques Villeneuve were on track with their new BAR 004 for the full five days and test drivers Anthony Davidson and Ryo Fukuda joined them over the weekend. The team's programme had been frustrated by a lack of running time over the first three days, mainly due to numerous red flags. The team was pushing hard to make up for lost time and as a result experienced some minor problems. Honda's development specification engines are being used right up to the team's departure for Australia, so the problems they encountered provided a useful opportunity for trouble-shooting. The team is now preparing for its final pre-Melbourne test at Paul Ricard next week from February 18 with Panis running on Monday and Tuesday followed by Villeneuve on Wednesday and Thursday. The test will see another step in the evolution of the final Melbourne technical package.

MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM : UPBEAT TEST AT BARCELONA
The Renault F1 team has a very positive three day test at Barcelona from Monday to Wednesday this week which ended with Jenson Button setting fastest time on the final day. By Tuesday evening Jarno Trulli was setting the pace in the Renault R202 on 1m 17.758s after covering 77 laps while test driver Fernando Alonso carried out important software development work in one of last year's B201s, although the Spaniard never completed a flying lap. On Wednesday the test concluded with Jenson Button setting a 1m 17.677s, again the fastest lap of the day, in the R202. "It was a very positive test and Jenson made some really worthwhile progress", said Technical Director Mike Gascoyne. "This was probably the most productive programme since the beginning of testing in January. On Wednesday Jenson ran a programme similar to Jarno's the previous day and found the car both consistent and fast". The Renault F1 team will carry out its final pre-season test from Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 February, shaking down all three R202s prior to their despatch for Melbourne.

JAGUAR RACING : MORE TESTS AT VALENCIA
A three day test for the Jaguar team saw Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa evaluating a new floor and revised rear suspension on the new R3 in preparation for the start of the season. De la Rosa tried the new package first, completing 11 laps for a best time of 1m 15.598s while Irvine managed just two further installation laps. On Wednesday de la Rosa posted a 1m 12.840s with Irvine just behind on 1m 14.330s, both men running different development programmes. On Thursday de la Rosa managed a 1m 13.215s with Irvine on 1m 14.978s, completing the final pre-season assessment of the recent aerodynamic changes to the car. Commented team principal Niki Lauda: "It has been a positive step forward in terms of making revisions to the car but the three month testing ban is something that we, like many other teams, could have done without. Ideally we could have done with five or six days here at Valencia, but we have certainly made the best of our time here".

ORANGE ARROWS : BARCELONA AND VAIRANO
After Heinz-Harald Frentzen had his first outing in the new Arrows-Cosworth A23 last week at Valencia, the team moved to Barcelona from Monday to Wednesday when Enrique Bernoldi ran the first two days with Frentzen taking over for the third. "This was all routine stuff and the new car made steady progress", said a team spokesperson. "We've been getting through all the homework necessary". The team has also solved the problem which caused Frentzen to twice lose the rear wing at Valencia. Frentzen managed a 1m 18.601s second fastest at Barcelona on Wednesday by which time Bernoldi had moved onto Vairano in Italy to start straight-line tests with the second A23 to be completed. Frentzen will take over that programme today (Friday) and both men will be at Silverstone next Monday to Wednesday shaking down all three A23s in preparation for the first race.

KL MINARDI ASIATECH : SATISFIED WITH TEST
The KL Minardi team has been running with two new PS02s at both Valencia and Barcelona, working on reliability and a race simulation was achieved without major problems. Altogether the new car had some minor glitches with secondary systems, but nothing major. A third PS02 is currently being assembled and all three will be shaken down at Misano Adriatico on Tuesday before shipment to Australia on February 21st. On February 23rd the team will stop off in Kuala Lumpur for the official launch of its new car.

PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING : PREPARING FOR FINAL TESTS
The Toyota Formual One team will start a final three day test at Paul Ricard today with Mika Salo driving while Allan McNish will take over for Saturday and Sunday. The team now has three TF102s all ready in preparation for the Australian Grand Prix and these will probably be given a final shakedown at the French track next week although a firm date has not yet been fixed.

Montoya Moves To Top Of Valencia Charts

Source: Speedvision
February 8, 2002

Valencia, Spain, Feb. 8 — Juan Pablo Montoya had been around the top of the charts for most of the week as the Williams/BMW squad put up a full week of Formula 1 testing at Valencia, and today took advantage of the departure of the Saubers to top the time charts.

Montoya and the rest of the field had trailed Nick Heidfeld’s new Sauber C21 for most of the week, but Montoya not only led the day, but nearly topped Heidfeld’s best time of the week with a 1:12.410 effort, just .006sec off that of Heidfeld.

Perhaps the most surprising development of the day was the speed shown by Pedro de la Rosa in the new Jaguar R3. The much-maligned car had struggled to even get in the top half of the testers, but de la Rosa found plenty of speed Friday, putting up a best run of 1:13.229.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen may be rethinking his choice of rides after Friday’s venture with his new Arrows squad. The German, who signed a one-year deal with the team yesterday, suffered two rear wing failures on the day, although he was not injured in either case. He had the problems on the entrance to the quick first turn in both cases, but did not make contact with the barriers before coming to a stop.

The Minardis were again at the bottom of the ledger although did post their best times of the preseason, with Alex Yoong carding a 1:15.353 with Australian Mark Webber in at 1:15.908.

Valencia results, day 5 (unofficial)

1 Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams-BMW, 1m12.410s 69 laps 
2 Pedro de la Rosa – Jaguar, 1m13.229s 78
3 Antonio Pizzonia - Williams-BMW, 1m13.377s 91
4 Ralf Schumacher- Williams-BMW, 1m13.484s 69
5 Heinz-Harald Frentzen - Arrows-Cosworth, 1m13.491s 20
6 Jacques Villeneuve - BAR-Honda, 1m13.577s 86
7 Olivier Panis - BAR-Honda, 1m13.744s 66
8 Anthony Davidson - BAR-Honda, 1m14.177s 81
9 Alex Yoong - Minardi-Asiatech, 1m15.353s 38
10 Mark Webber - Minardi-Asiatech, 1m15.908s 30

FORMULA ONE UPDATE

Source: FIA
Friday, February 8, 2002

Source: Yahoo Sports
February 7, 2002

MELBOURNE - Australian Formula One Grand Prix organisers failed to properly manage the risk to marshals at last year's race in which a track official was killed by flying debris, an Australian coroner said.

Victoria State Coroner Graeme Johnstone said in his report on the death of marshal Graham Beveridge that the fatal accident was avoidable as race organisers had known for years of the risk of debris flying through gaps in the safety fence.

Beveridge, 52, died when he was struck by a flying wheel from the wreckage of a collision between Canadian Jacques Villeneuve and German Ralf Schumacher.

The wheel shot through a gap in the safety fence and hit him in the chest at about 175 kilometres per hour (109 mph).

"In this case, those agencies responsible for organising the 2001 Australian Formula One Grand Prix motor race failed to satisfactorily manage the risk to marshals created by gaps in the debris fence," Johnstone said in his report.

"The issue of the potential for debris to go through the gap had been identified by CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motor Sport) years prior to the running of the 2001 event at Albert Park," he said.

"The AGPC (Australian Grand Prix Corporation), through its chief executive officer, was aware of the gap issue. The eventual solution was not only obvious, it was practical, and should have been in place before the racing incident at Albert Park.

"Mr Beveridge's death was avoidable."

The International Automobile Federation (FIA), which sanctions all Formula One events, said in a statement it had "noted" the coroner's report.

The FIA did not attend the hearing but said it had tried to give the Melbourne inquiry as much help as possible.

"The FIA sets minimum standards, below which it will not authorise an international motor race," the statement said. "It anticipates that the Australian Grand Prix Corporation will continue to endeavour to exceed those standards."

Earlier, AGPC chairman Ron Walker said the event, the first event on the calendar would go ahead on March 3, which the FIA confirmed.

"Since the tragedy last March, a great deal of thought and effort has been expended on coming up with solutions to avoid such an occurrence again," Walker said in a statement released after the coroner's report was handed down.

"Safety initiatives, independent of the coronial inquiry, had already been implemented for this year's race," Walker said.

Walker said the AGPC had annually engaged an independent risk management consultant for the past 17 years to advise it on safety issues prior to races.

Those consultants included the sports world governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), CAMS and other experts and the AGPC had acted in accordance with that advice.

"Clearly we have always been very proactive, done everything that we believed should be done and was appropriate," AGPC chief executive John Harnden said.

A Victoria Police spokesman told local media that Beveridge's family would not be commenting on the coroner's report.

Formula one supremo Bernie Ecclestone's FIA was not represented at the inquest and has not yet commented.

Last year race organisers said Beveridge's death was a freakish accident. Australian newspapers quoted Walker as saying two days after the accident: "This is a one-in-a-million chance, like a needle in a haystack".

But coroner Johnstone found such an argument did not avoid the need to manage the risk.

"Once it was realised that debris could go through the gaps, and because of the potential and likely velocity of the debris, even a small item could cause injury or death," Johnstone said.

"The fact a larger item went through, in what has been described by some as freakish circumstances, is not an argument that avoids the need to have managed the risk," he said.

The race organisers have already outlined plans to increase the height of safety fences at the circuit and to seek safety assessments from independent experts after Johnstone had earlier recommended safety improvements be implemented before the race.

The coroner praised race organisers for improving safety since the fatal accident.

Nick Heidfeld leads the way in Valencia

Source: Yahoo Sports
February 7, 2002

Nick Heidfeld recorded the quickest time in Valencia once again, the Sauber driver the clear leader here on Thursday, well over a second ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya's Williams while Felipe Massa rounded out the top three. The Brazilian driver was just one of several drivers to crash out here today, leaving the track after just 23 laps when he suffered a problem with the front wing on the main straight.

"Today, Nick concentrated on a tyre program and the preparation of the first Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne. Felipe Massa focused on tyre testing but unfortunately, his work was interrupted when he had an accident at the end on the morning, on the main straight, technical director Willy Rampf explained. The Team decided to send the car back to Hinwil for investigation and repair, so that it is ready for the next test in Mugello - Italy (February 16 - 18). Overall, this session has been a successful test where the Sauber Petronas C21 has shown itself to be reliable and very competitive."

Ralf Schumacher finished fourth overall ahead of Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia while Jacques Villeneuve recorded the fifth best time ahead of yesterday's quickest man, Giancarlo Fisichella. Despite a first lap accident, Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished his first day with Arrows in eighth place, six tenths of a second ahead of Pedro de la Rosa's Jaguar.

Thursday's times from Valencia:

1 Nick Heidfeld - Sauber - 1:12.404 
2 Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams - 1:13.736 
3 Felipe Massa - Sauber - 1:14.219 
4 Ralf Schumacher - Williams 1:14.624 
5 Antonio Pizzonia - Williams 1:14.754 
6 Jacques Villeneuve - BAR 1:14.953 
7 Giancarlo Fisichella - Jordan 1:15.099 
8 Heinz-Harald Frentzen - Arrows 1:15.133 
9 Olivier Panis - BAR 1:15.153 
10 Anthony Davidson BAR 1:15.311 
11 Takuma Sato - Jordan 1:15.373 
12 Fernando Alonso - Renault 1:15.380 
13 Jarno Trulli - Renault 1:15.699 
14 Pedro de la Rosa - Jaguar 1:15.736 
15 Mark Webber - Minardi 1:16.655 
16 Alex Yoong - Minardi 1:18.650 

Arrows Tabs Frentzen To Replace Verstappen

Source: Speedvision
February 7, 2002

Valencia, Spain, Feb. 7 — The final spot on the 2002 Formula 1 grid was officially filled Thursday morning as Arrows, as expected, tabbed former Jordan ace Heinz-Harald Frentzen to partner Enrique Bernoldi in the new Arrows A23.

The 34-year-old German will return to the grid after driving for Jordan in the early part of last season before he was bounced in favor of Jean Alesi. Frentzen, who had won twice with Jordan in 1999, landed at Prost for the final events of 2001 and failed to score any points.

He joins the Tom Walkinshaw-led squad that is looking to turn its fortunes around, brining in new people and carrying a redesigned Cosworth engine this season. He is wasting no time in getting acclimated to his new surroundings, testing the new A23 today at Valencia.

"I’m very much looking forward to racing for Arrows," said Frentzen. "The team has a fantastic facility and a lot of very talented and dedicated people. All the ingredients are there to take a major step forward and I’m convinced we will be successful."

Frentzen signed a one-year-deal with the Leafield-based team and will be driving for the fifth team of his career. He was most successful from a points standpoint in 1997 when he finished as the runner-up in the championship while with Williams, although he only won once that season as opposed to the two wins he earned in 1999 with Jordan.

"We’re very pleased that Heinz-Harald is joining the team," said Walkinshaw. "He is a recognized top-line driver and has proved his mettle by winning three grands prix. We are at an important stage in the development of Arrows and feel that Heinz-Harald has the necessary experience to help us move forward."

Valencia Test: Day Three

February 6, 2002

Although all eyes were on Maranello today as Ferrari launched their new 2002 contender, testing continued for several other teams at the Valencia circuit in Spain. BAR, Arrows and Jaguar joined the action today but it was the Jordan of Giancarlo Fisichella that set the pace out of the 15 drivers on track.

The Italian completed 64 laps to finish three and a half tenths ahead of Williams driver, Ralf Schumacher. The German was the quickest of the BMW powered squad today, finishing marginally quicker than teammate Juan Pablo Montoya.

Although the weather remained fine, the windy conditions continued to hamper progress for many teams, however it didn't stop Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi making the first appearance for the Orange squad this year, the Brazilian recording the twelfth best time of the day after 15 laps.

 VALENCIA TEST: DAY THREE 
 Pos Driver Team Time 
  
 1 Fisichella Jordan 1m13.297s 
 2 Montoya WilliamsF1 1m13.749s 
 3 Heidfeld Sauber 1m14.102s
 4 R. Schumacher WilliamsF1 1m14.124s 
 5 Massa Sauber 1m14.264ss 
 6 Gene WilliamsF1 1m14.440s  
 7 Button Renault 1m14.670s 
 8 Villeneuve BAR 1m14.758s 
 9 De la Rosa Jaguar 1m14.839s 
 10 Sato Jordan 1m15.212s 
 11 Panis BAR 1m16.225s 
 12 Bernoldi Arrows 1m16.586s 
 13 Trulli Renault 1m16.796s 
 14 Webber Minardi 1m17.032s 
 15 Yoong Minardi 1m19.445s 
 

Maranello, Italy, Feb. 6 — The two decades of frustration from 1979 through 2000 were a constant source of angst for Scuderia Ferrari and the most fabled name in Formula 1 racing could not put its name on the World Championship.

Now that Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello have ridden the Prancing Horse to the top of the heap, the team intends to stay there, and rolled out what it is calling its best-ever car in an effort to claim a third straight driver’s title.

"Even if the philosophy is still the same as last year we had to take a step forward in some areas because we had reached the limit of development," said chief designer Rory Byrne. "Almost every part of the car has been re-designed. I think it is the best F1 Ferrari ever."

But despite guiding Schumacher to the last two championships and giving him the car in which he took over the all-time lead in F1 victories, the team is not so far removed from the years of failure that it is satisfied. On the contrary, sporting director Jean Todt says those seasons of struggle are what keeps the team motivated as it looks to win three straight titles for the first time in its storied history.

"Our strength and our skill is not down to success, but the failures that have caused us to be more determined," Todt said. "This spirit we will take into 2002. We know there is strong competition with the arrival of new manufacturers. They are determined, but so are we. We have to fight strongly because we can't take for granted that the success of past years is easy to achieve."

The success certainly hasn’t doused the competitive fire of the World Champion, who could cement his position as one of the top drivers in F1 history with another crown. He would equal Juan Fangio’s five world titles with a win this year and will likely build on his own Grand Prix victory mark at some point this season.

"I'd like to be optimistic," Schumacher said. "We have achieved some fantastic results in the past and I hope we will see more in the future. My motivation is there. Our targets are the same and we want to remain as world champions. Nothing is nicer than winning for Ferrari. They are my family and I'll do my best so that Ferrari can keep the number one."

The front of the new F2002 appears to be closely matched with last year’s model, with much of the outward changes visible at the rear of the car. The exhausts continue to exit out of the top of the sidepods, but the team has developed a cowling around them. The rear suspension and the aerodynamics around the rear axle have been revised, while the car also features a new seven-speed titanium gearbox and transmission made of lighter materials to speedup gear changes.

At the rollout of the car Tuesday morning, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said that he is not pressing for his team to improve this season – then reminding everyone that all they did was dominate the world championship chase last season.

"This is the first time in 11 years that I've not asked the team to do better," Di Montezemolo admitted. "I would except, although without much excitement, the same results as last year. In the last three or four years Formula 1 has changed, but what is important is that Ferrari is still at the top level. And we are determined to win the championship again."

Arrows must pay Diniz after losing appeal

Source: Yahoo Sports
Tuesday February 5, 2002

LONDON - Arrows will have to compensate former driver Pedro Diniz after their appeal against a court ruling was dismissed, the Formula One team said.

The Court of Appeal on Tuesday upheld a ruling made last February that allowed Brazilian Diniz to walk away from Arrows and join Sauber at the end of 1998.

The Commercial High Court had last year endorsed a finding by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in 1999 that Diniz's contract with Arrows "had been validly terminated in accordance with its terms".

Arrows owner Tom Walkinshaw will have to pay approximately 500,000 pounds in compensation to Diniz, although the team declined to reveal the precise sum.

"Arrows is obviously disappointed at the outcome of its appeal against the decision," a spokesperson said.

The team have not said if they will take their case to the House of Lords, the final appeal court.

Diniz, 31, ended his career as a driver in 2000 after leaving Sauber and later became a major shareholder of the troubled Prost Grand Prix.

He withdrew as a major shareholder of the Guyancourt-based operation last year before former world champion Alain Prost's team was declared bankrupt last month.

Valencia test

Source: Yahoo Sports
Tuesday February 5, 2002

Nick Heidfeld and Sauber came out on top of the second day of testing in Spain - despite the presence of day one pacesetters Williams. The German ended the session one-tenth quicker than his nearest challenger - but the best that Williams could manage was fourth overall, with both Juan Montoya and Ralf Schumacher also trailing Takuma Sato's Jordan and the second Sauber of Felipe Massa.

The Swiss team enjoyed a fruitful day, with both drivers going in different directions - Heidfeld establishing various set-up options and Massa chasing a race distance - and experienced few problems with the already promising C21.

Over at Jordan, Sato too completed a long distance run in the afternoon session - this time without a hitch after several accident-interrupted attempts in recent weeks - having spent the morning honing his set-up on the older EJ11.

Team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella again had his hands on the new EJ12, but could only manage ninth fastest time as he worked through an engine development programme for Honda, as well as establishing his own preferences on the chassis front.

Between the two yellow cars, the Williams duo of Montoya and Schumacher struggled to match the pace of the frontrunners as they continued to work through the development programme on a pair of FW24-BMWs. Team-mate Marc Gene was again on duty with the interim FW23C, but was roughly a second adrift of his more illustrious partners after a spin in the morning session which caused the only interruption to the action.

Behind the three Williams cars, Fernando Alonso again got the better of his more established team-mate, out-pacing Jenson Button with the old Benetton-based B201. The Spaniard had almost half a second in hand over Button, who had flown in specifically to replace the ailing Jarno Trulli in the new R202.

Owing to difficult weather conditions, with cloud and wind the dominant factors, the team concentrated on long-distance reliability running, and both drivers completed their allotted programmes without reporting any problems.

Minardi was the final team testing today, with new recruit Mark Webber joining the slightly more experienced Alex Yoong, and out-pacing the Malaysian driver. Both sampled the recently-launched PS02, complete with its Asiatech engine, but mileage was hard to come by, and Webber was some two seconds of Fisichella's pace in tenth spot. Yoong was about the same margin adrift of his team-mate.

The test moves into a third day tomorrow, when the new Arrows A23, and Enrique Bernoldi, are expected to join the fray.

Todays results: (5 February):

Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas 1min 13.717secs 81 laps
Takuma Sato Jordan-Honda 1min 13.837secs 66 laps
Felipe Massa Sauber-Petronas 1min 13.933secs 88 laps
Juan Montoya Williams-BMW 1min 14.036secs 52 laps
Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1min 14.037secs 55 laps
Marc Gene Williams-BMW 1min 15.047secs 61 laps
Fernando Alonso Renault-Renault 1min 15.350secs 46 laps
Jenson Button Renault-Renault 1min 15.772secs 56 laps
Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Honda 1min 15.958secs 50 laps
Mark Webber Minardi-Asiatech 1min 18.046secs 10 laps
Alex Yoong Minardi-Asiatech 1min 20.990secs 21 laps

Pizzonia Paces Light Day At Barcelona

Source: Speedvision

Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 1 — After spending a week running alongside teammates Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams/BMW test driver Antonio Pizzonia took the spotlight for himself on Friday, leading the final day of Barcelona testing as four teams put in more preseason preparation.

Pizzonia was a half-second faster than the rest of the field while turning the most laps (74) of any of the seven cars on track today at the Circuit de Catalunya. Pizzonia put up a top lap of 1:19.452 to show the way, carding the only lap under 1:20 all day long.

Two generations of Renaults were next, test driver Fernando Alonso running second in the 2001 version with Jarno Trulli .042sec behind in the R202 that was unveiled last Sunday.

"The whole package is very positive and the car works very well," Trulli said. "The car reacts very well to changes and it's much easier to drive that last year's Benetton. I have a problem with the seat – my head keeps hitting the headrest – but I should have a new one for the next test."

Jaguar rolled out a pair of its new R3 machines, running two 2002-spec cars for the first time all season. Pedro de la Rosa had a decent day, running 51 laps and getting in the 1:20.5 range but teammate Eddie Irvine struggled all day and despite turning 73 circuits, did not break the 1:22 mark.

Jordan also had two generations of cars on hand, Giancarlo Fisichella running the new EJ12 but fighting mechanical problems all day that allowed him to turn just 25 laps. Jaguar will have the Catalunyan circuit to itself tomorrow as the rest of the teams will head back to their bases.

Barcelona test, day 5 (unofficial)

1 Antonio Pizzonia - Williams-BMW, 1m19.452sec 74 laps
2 Fernando Alonso – Renault, 1m20.029ss 49
3 Jarno Trulli- Renault, 1m20.071s 30
4 Takuma Sato - Jordan-Honda, 1m20.527s 44
5 Pedro de la Rosa – Jaguar, 1m20.533s 51
6 Giancarlo Fisichella - Jordan-Honda, 1m35.595s 25
7 Eddie Irvine – Jaguar, 1m22.078s 73

Minardi Rolls Out New Charger

Source: Speedvision

Imola, Italy, Feb. 1 — The next-generation Minardi PS02 took its first laps Friday with rookie driver Alex Yoong running 20 trouble-free circuits at Imola as an anxious team looked on.

The new machine made its first steps not only with its new design, but also with its new Asiatech AT02 V10 engine, and while Yoong admitted he didn’t test the limits of the package, he was pleased with how the new mount performed.

"I will admit to feeling very excited before getting into the KL Minardi Asiatech PS02 this afternoon," said Yoong. "The team has put a great deal of hard work into the new car, and it shows. Today was purely a shakedown, with serious testing beginning in Valencia next week, but even so, it was possible to feel the potential. I was particularly pleased with how comfortable I felt in the cockpit, and am now looking forward to some serious running in Spain."

The team will be putting its new car in the hands of a pair of Formula 1 rookies this season, with Yoong and newest signee Mark Webber taking the reins. Yoong performed the shakedown tests today while Webber will wait until next week’s Valencia tests for his first crack at the PS02.

Despite the fact that he does not have a wealth of experience behind the wheel of his cars for the 2002 season, Minardi boss Paul Stoddart believes that his squad will have a good opportunity for improvement with the new combination.

"We're proud and pleased that the new car had a successful debut today," said Stoddart. "The initial technical feedback suggests we have made identifiable progress in a number of areas, in particular, the engine and aerodynamic performance. It's early days yet, but we believe there is a genuine opportunity for Minardi to achieve its aim of scoring championship points this season. We will continue testing through the month of February and look forward with great anticipation to Melbourne, where we will be able to gauge the progress we have made and see if it has put us ahead of some of our rivals."

FORMULA ONE UPDATE

Source: FIA
Friday, 1 February 2002

SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO: ACCIDENTS FOR SCHUMACHER AND BARRICHELLO
After being clearly the fastest contenders during this week's Barcelona tests, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello both crashed their Ferrari F2001s heavily within an hour of each other at around lunchtime on Wednesday. Neither of the badly damaged cars could be repaired at the circuit, so Ferrari packed up and returned to base. Michael lost control between corners 11 and 12 at around 240kph. He said; "It was completely my fault. I got onto the grass and simply couldn't catch the car anymore." It was the same story at corner nine where Barrichello spun off. Both drivers escaped without injury. Just before his off, the Brazilian had set a time of 1m 18.112s, 0.4sec faster than Michael who ended up on 1m 18.565s. Both were testing new tyres and Michael did a race distance on Tuesday, driving 105 laps for a fastest overall of 1m 18.470s. On Thursday Michael flew to Mugello to take over testing work from Luca Badoer who had been trying experimental parts with another F2001 and was now suffering with flu. Badoer did 41 laps for a best time of 1m 22.870s. Schumacher settled down to manage a 1m 22.6s at Mugello while the factory checked over the damaged cars from Barcelona and found no mechanical defect. Next Monday Barrichello will be running in Mugello and will be joined on Tuesday by Badoer if he is fit enough. On Wednesday both regular drivers will attend the launch of the new car and so the two test drivers will be at Mugello, while Schumacher and Barrichello take over again on Thursday. On Friday Schumacher will run in Mugello and Badoer in Fiorano, all with the F2001 as the testing schedule for the new car has not yet been finalised.

WEST McLAREN MERCEDES : TESTING AT VALENCIA
While most of the teams were at Barcelona, the McLaren-Mercedes squad continued its intensive programme of development work with the new MP4/17 at Valencia where David Coulthard started a programme on Tuesday, supported by Kimi Raikkonen in the MP4/16B test car. Raikkon concentrated on a Michelin tyre development programme with the test car while Coulthard carried out further engine and chassis development work in the MP4/17. By Wednesday night Coulthard had got down to 1m 11.58s in the new car with Raikkonen, who was doing shorter runs with lighter fuel loads, down to 1m 11.7s. Coulthard unfortunately had to pull out of the test with a heavy cold on Wednesday evening and Alexander Wurz went out to continue the test which ended on Thursday with wet weather testing on an artificially flooded track. "All the team's drivers and engineers are pleased with the performance of the new car so far," commented McLaren Managing Director Martin Whitmarsh. "We have been working hard assessing different set-ups and coming to grips with the Michelin tyre characteristics."

BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM : SCHUMACHER STARTS WITH FW24
After a few laps in the rain at Silverstone, the BMW Williams team sent the new FW24 down to Barcelona where Ralf Schumacher started a long test programme last Sunday with 59 trouble-free lap. With a best time of 1m 19.238s he immediately matched the test times of the old FW23C which was driven that day by Antonio Pizzonia. March Gene did a 1m 18.918s in the interim test car with the new BMW P82 engine and on Monday Schumacher was fastest on 1m 19.280s after 53 laps. Tuesday was reserved for pit stop practice which was interrupted by a broken gearbox. Juan Pablo Montoya was in the new car on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving Schumacher to complete tyre testing in the old FW23, producing a best of 1m 19.266s while Montoya managed 1m 20.344s. His programme was reduced to 27 laps due to driveshaft problems and this car was taken over by Pizzonia on Thursday. Gene drove most of the time in the FW23C and was the fastest Williams driver on Thursday with 1m 19.233s, 0.4sec ahead of Montoya who did a 19.680s.

SAUBER PETRONAS : GOING WELL IN SPAIN
The Sauber Petronas team started another three day test in Barcelona on Tuesday with two new C21s, the Swiss team again surprising everybody with their speed and reliability. On the first day Nick Heidfeld was the only driver to match the two Ferraris in the 1m 18s bracket, posting a 1m 18.817s after 96 laps, third fastest on the day. Felipe Massa, who was trying to get used to stopping in precisely the right place for his refuelling stop, ended up with 1m 19.513s after 75 laps. On Wednesday Heidfeld improved and was again third fastest on the day with 1m 18.749s, again suffering no technical problems. Massa covered 82 laps for a best of 1m 20.370s. On Thursday the team ran light fuel loads and managed a 1m 17.891s which was close to what Kimi Raikkonen managed the previous week in the new McLaren. "The car has much more grip than the C20 and it is so stable," said Heidfeld. "I am very optimistic for the season." The only problem was a scheduled driveshaft change on Thursday while Massa was delayed with a minor hydraulic problem, but nothing else. "Not even a screw fell off," said Peter Sauber. Technical director Willy Rampf commented; "Nick had to do tyre testing for Bridgestone, whereas Massa was on a race distance during Wednesday and in qualifying trim on Thursday." In the race simulation Massa's times were very consistent. At the team's Hinwil base the third C21 has been completed. Sauber tests next in Valencia next week.

JORDAN HONDA : FOUR DAYS IN BARCELONA
The Jordan-Honda squad started its four day Barcelona test with Takuma Sato and the 19-year old German Marcel Lasee starting the programme. Sato covered 46 laps with the new EJ-12 carrying out systems checks and general set-up work, while Lasee ran the EJ-11 for 44 laps. Commenting on his first drive in an Formula One car he said; "The power, brakes and downforce are just unbelievable and it was exciting to be driving on the same circuit on the same time as Michael and Ralf Schumacher." Sato's best on the first day was 1m 22.59s with Lasee just 0.4sec slower. On Wednesday Sato spent the day working on set-up and driver comfort in the EJ-12 while also testing cooling and oil systems on the new car, his best time being 1m 22.04s. Lasee ran for 39 laps(best 1m 20.37s) before Giancarlo Fisichella took over the EJ-11 in the afternoon, the Italian testing development brakes and front suspension geometry for a best of 1m 20.10s.

LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA : POSITIVE THIRD TEST IN BARCELONA
The BAR-Honda team has returned to its base after a very positive third test with the 004 at the Circuit de Catalunya. Olivier Panis started the programme on Monday and Jacques Villeneuve took over on Tuesday, but the team encountered an (unspecified) mechanical problem and lost quite a bit of track time. During these two days Anthony Davidson was running a BAR 003 which Panis took over for tyre testing on Wednesday as Villeneuve was assessing aerodynamic options for the Australian GP. Engineering Director Malcolm Oastler said; "We had a very busy programme in Barcelona, but this allowed us to increase our understanding of the new car and put plenty of miles on the chassis and engine. We expect to have the full Melbourne specification fitted to our car for a five day test from February 5-10 in Valencia."

MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM : PROMISING START FOR R202
The new Renault R202 began testing this week at Barcelona following its launch in Paris on Sunday with Jenson Button getting down to a 1m 20.090s on Tuesday, just 0.001sec slower than Jarno Trulli managed while tyre testing with last year's B201 challenger. "Unfortunately an engine leak meant Jenson lost the moring while the unit was changed," said Technical Director Mike Gascoyne, "but he ran in the afternoon and made good progress with the set-up of the car."On Wednesday Button managed a 1m 20.814s, concentrating on long runs and running the engine up to its maximum mileage before a scheduled change. Trulli continued his Michelin development work and got down to 1m 20.668s. Sato managed a 1m 20.351s on Thursday with Fisichella on 1m 21.091s. Trulli did a 1m 20.834s on Thursday while Fernando Alonso took over from Button in the B201 and posted a 1m 21.440s.

JAGUAR RACING : MORE DEVELOPMENT WORK
The Jaguar team carried out more chassis development and aerodynamic work following last week's intensive aerodynamic assessment at Lurcy Levis where Andrea Lotterer ran both an R2 and an R3. The team then went straight to Barcelona from last Friday until this Monday, progressively incorporating more aerodynamic and rear suspension modifications into the R3 and started testing again at Barcelona today (Friday) with Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa.
"We feel we are really making progress on the aerodynamic package," said a team spokesman, "and of course we have a brand new floor in the pipeline which will first be tested in the Silverstone shakedown prior to Melbourne."

PROST GRAND PRIX : IT'S ALL OVER
The Commercial court in Versailles put an end to Prost Grand Prix last Monday. According to the law, a delay of a fortnight has been given for the staff to prepare the assets for sale. Some 197 people are still looking for new jobs.

ORANGE ARROWS : NEW A23 READY TO TEST
Enrique Bernoldi is scheduled to shakedown the first of the new Arrows-Cosworth A23s at an undisclosed venue on Monday prior to the car being rushed down to Valencia where it will start serious tests on Wednesday. There is still no news as to who will partner Bernoldi, but an announcement is expected soon. The team is also working hard on the second A23 in preparation for the start of the season.

KL MINARDI ASIATECH : IMOLA SHAKEDOWN PLANNED
If everything goes smoothly, Minardi will shake down its new Asiatech-engined car today (Friday) at Imola with both Alex Yoong and Mark Webber on hand, after which the car will go on to Valencia for serious tests. It will be painted black as the new livery will be disclosed in Kuala Lumpur where one of the cars will stop off on the way to Melbourne. John Walton, former team manager of Prost Grand Prix, has joined Minardi.

PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING : TWO CAR TEST
The Toyota team started its test programme with two TF102s at Barcelona on Monday with Mika Salo managing 58 laps for a 1m 20.782s best and Allan McNish covering 77 laps with a fastest of 1m 21.271s. On Tuesday Salo only managed a 1m 21.358s after losing time with a gearbox-related problem which took the team some time to understand. McNish also managed only 1m 21.684s. On Wednesday Salo carried out different brake comparisons in preparation for Melbourne, posting a 1m 21.682s while McNish did a 1m 22.890s. "We did a reasonable number of laps today," said the Scot. "I did a few aerodynamic tests, which improved the car slightly and we will continue with that tomorrow." Salo managed a 1m 20.245s on Thursday with McNish on 1m 19.831s.

Sauber Swoops Ahead

Source: Speedvision
January 30, 2002

Barcelona, Spain — Nick Heidfeld has admitted to being somewhat miffed about being passed over in favor of ex-teammate Kimi Raikkonen for the open seat at McLaren/Mercedes this season, and that extra motivation may be proving beneficial. The German ended the fourth day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya at the head of the time table with the Sauber team’s new Petronas (Ferrari)powered C21.

Heidfeld’s best lap of 1:17.891 topped the previous best set by Michael Schumacher on Wednesday, before he and Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello both crashed heavily and ended the Scuderia’s participation in the test. It also compares favorably to the record-breaking time set by Alex Wurz in a McLaren last week. Heidfeld’s best lap was achieved on used tires, although it’s not clear how much fuel was in on board.

"I think there’s still more to come," declared Heidfeld. "We’re still working on the setup. I can’t wait for the next test. I’m very happy with the car."

New teammate Felipe Massa completed a Sauber 1-2, although the Brazilian was 0.8sec down. Marc Gene was third quickest in the 2001-spec Williams, ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya in the new FW24.

"It’s getting better," said the Colombian, "but I hope there’s more to come. We’re just not there yet and we need to do a lot more running."

Toyota enjoyed its strongest test to date, with Allan McNish edging teammate Mika Salo to set the fifth-best time. It was the first time the Scot had used new tires and he was pleased to get so close to the Williams’ pace.

Jarno Trulli’s first day in the Renault R202 left him favorable impressions, but countryman Giancarlo Fisichella was less happy with the new Jordan/Honda EJ12.

Barcelona test, day 4 (unofficial)
Pos Driver Chassis-engine Tires Time Laps
1 Nick Heidfeld Sauber/Petronas B 1:17.891 73 
2 Felipe Massa Sauber/Petronas B 1:18.605 67
3 Marc Gene Williams/BMW* M 1:19.233 63
4 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams/BMW M 1:19.680 64
5 Allan McNish Toyota M 1:19.831 72
6 Mika Salo Toyota M 1:20.245 34
7 Takuma Sato Jordan/Honda B 1:20.351 69
8 Antonio Pizzonia Williams/BMW M 1:20.557 65
9 Jarno Trulli Renault M 1:20.834 44
10 Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan/Honda B 1:21.091 36
11 Fernando Alonso Renault M 1:21.440 50

Remainder Of Barcelona Field Never Catches Ferraris After Crash

Source: Speedvision
January 30, 2002

Barcelona, Spain, Jan. 30 — The Ferrari team of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello made their point early today in Formula 1 testing at Barcelona, staying on top of the time charts despite hard crashes that gave both of them the afternoon off.

Barrichello carded a day-topping 1:18.112 before wrecking his car with Schumacher’s early accident limiting him to just 17 laps and a best time of 1:18.465. That would be good enough to lead the day however, as no one else would get within a quarter-second of Schumacher’s time.

Nick Heidfeld in the new Sauber C21 was the best of the rest for the second consecutive day, with 2001 Williams/BMW cars in the hands of Marc Gene and Ralf Schumacher were fourth and sixth – Schumacher trying out his new glasses for the first time, with Olivier Panis having another good day with the fifth-best effort. Heidfeld ran a race simulation and put up 86 laps in the new Sauber, with a top lap of 1:18.749.

Jacques Villeneuve was more than a second slower than Panis today as the former World Champion tried to coax more speed out of the new BAR 004. German Formula Renault champ Marcel Lasse, who was testing a Jordan EJ11 as team principal Eddie Jordan fulfilled a promise he had made, was a surprising 11th on the list, ahead of the new Renault of Jenson Button and the new Toyotas of Mika Salo and Allan McNish.

Barcelona test, day 3 (unofficial)

1 Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari, 1m18.112s 37
2 Michael Schumacher - Ferrari, 1m18.465s 17
3 Nick Heidfeld - Sauber-Petronas, 1m18749s 86
4 Marc Gene - Williams-BMW, 1m19.171s 21
5 Olivier Panis - BAR-Honda, 1m19.182s 77
6 Ralf Schumacher - Williams-BMW, 1m19.266s 84
7 Giancarlo Fisichella - Renault, 1m20.109s 27
8 Jacques Villeneuve - BAR-Honda, 1m20.312s 62
9 Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams-BMW, 1m20.344s 27
10 Felipe Massa - Sauber-Petronas, 1m20.379s 82
11 Marcel Lasee - Jordan-Honda, 1m20.531s 38
12 Jarno Trulli - Renault, 1m20.571s 48
13 Jenson Button - Renault, 1m20.832s 38
14 Mika Salo - Toyota, 1m21.628s 73
15 Takuma Sato - Jordan-Honda, 1m22.048s 30
16 Allan McNish - Toyota, 1m22.090s 47

Champ Shows Form In Barcelona Testing

Source: Speedvision
January 29, 2002

Barcelona, Spain, Jan. 29 — The preseason buzz in testing has been all about how well the McLarens and Williams have been running, but each of the drivers that you talk to keep bringing up the same name – Michael Schumacher.

Everyone saw why on Tuesday as the defending World Driving Champion not only turned the highest number of laps of the day (105) but also carded the quickest trip around the Circuit de Catalunya to put his 2001-spec Ferrari atop the charts. Schumacher put up a best effort of 1:18.470 on Tuesday to show the way with teammate Rubens Barrichello just .167sec behind.

The surprise of the day came from the Sauber camp as the new C21 was the fastest of the 2002-spec cars with Nick Heidfeld running right behind the Ferraris all day long, taking the third spot on the speed sheets with a best effort of 1:18.817. The new Sauber held up well with Heidfeld cranking out 95 laps and rookie Felipe Massa turning a trouble-free 75.

The Williams/BMW machines that led yesterday’s festivities were fourth and fifth on the day but suffered setbacks. Antonio Pizzonia was working with the new BMW engine in the 2001 car, earning the fourth-best time but spinning once on the day. The FW24 encountered gearbox trouble that kept Monday leader Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya from getting much work in. Montoya never did run a flying lap, spending most of his time practicing pit stops.

Jenson Button ran the new Renault for the second straight day, putting in 33 laps and running .015sec behind teammate Jarno Trulli who was driving last year’s machine. Button lost test time in the morning due to an engine change, while Trulli suffered electrical problems. The unhappiest pilot of the day was likely in the BAR camp as Jacques Villeneuve expressed displeasure with the progress of the new BAR004, just two weeks after reporting a favorable first impression.

"I'm not pleased," he said. "The car doesn't feel as good as it did three weeks ago – there's been no progress. I had a problem with the seat, but that's normal with a new car. I don't know when the team is going to have a new chassis ready and I'm not sure that we are going to be good enough in time for Melbourne."

The day also saw trouble for the new Jordan EJ12, as Takuma Sato spent most of the time fighting an uncomfortable seat that prevented him from making any meaningful gains. Sato’s troubles were reflected in his times, which were just three-tenths faster than 19-year-old German Formula Renault champion Marcel Lasse, who ran last year’s Jordan as he took part in his first F1 test.

Meanwhile, the McLarens ran by themselves at Valencia, with David Coulthard running just a tenth of a second off the track record in the new MP4-17.

Tuesday's unofficial times from Barcelona
1. Michael Schumacher - Ferrari F2001 – 1:18.470 - 105 laps 
2. Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari F2001 – 1:18.'637 - 67 laps
3. Nick Heidfeld - Sauber C21 – 1:18.817 - 96 laps 
4. Antonio Pizzonia - Williams FW23 – 1:19.240 - 91 laps
5. Ralf Schumacher - Williams FW24 – 1:19.430 - 28 laps
6. Felipe Massa - Sauber C21 – 1:19.513 - 75 laps
7. Marc Gene - Williams FW23 – 1:19.754 - 24 laps
8. Jarno Trulli - Renault B201 – 1:20.082 - 58 laps
9. Jenson Button - Renault R202 – 1:20.097 - 33 laps
10. Anthony Davidson - BAR Honda 003 – 1:20.155 - 91 laps
11. Jacques Villeneuve - BAR Honda 004 – 1:21.098 - 43 laps
12. Mika Salo - Toyota TF102 – 1:21.358 - 18 laps
13. Allan McNish - Toyota TF102 – 1:21.684 - 41 laps
14. Takuma Sato - Jordan Honda EJ12 – 1:22.599 - 46 laps
15. Marcel Lassee - Jordan EJ11 – 1:22.889 - 80 laps
16. Juan Pablo Montoya - BMW Williams FW24 – 1:46.189 - 16 laps

Prost F1 team declared bankrupt

Source: Yahoo Sports
Monday January 28, 2002

VERSAILLES, France - Alain Prost's Formula One team has folded after failing to secure financial guarantees to allow them to keep racing.

"The court pronounces the liquidation," the president of Versailles commercial court told four times world champion Prost and his lawyers.

The French team was placed into receivership on November 22 because of debts estimated at $28 million.

Despite reports that Prost Grand Prix, launched in 1997, had recently received bids from a group of Italian investors, the court found that there were not enough guarantees for the team to continue.

The opening race of the 2002 world championship takes place in Melbourne on March 3 but Formula One will again have 11 teams since Toyota will be making their Grand Prix debut.

The widely expected court decision leaves Prost's 300 employees out of work while probably clearing the way for German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who drove for Prost at the end of last season, to join Arrows.

Launched in 1997 after he bought Ligier, Prost Grand Prix's record in five seasons was unimpressive.

As a driver, Prost entered 199 grand prix and won 51, a record only surpassed by Michael Schumacher this past season.

As a team, Prost Grand Prix took part in 83 races and won none, failing to claim even a single pole position.

Prost achieved his ambition of becoming a team boss by taking over the ailing Ligier team, marking the first step on what he saw as the path to French motor racing glory.

After a promising start, things went from bad to worse for the team, who scored no points in 2000 and lost sponsors as well their engine maker Peugeot.

Last season, with a Ferrari engine, Prost finished ninth in the constructors world championship with a meagre four points.

The announcement of Prost's bankruptcy came the day after French carmaker Renault trumpeted their return to Formula One.

Renault Reveals R202 For F1 Return

Source: Speedvision
Sunday January 27, 2002

Guyancourt, France, Jan. 27 — Formula 1 fans got to see most of the new Renault R202 at its launch in Paris, as the revamped Benetton squad showed off the car that it will look to carry to the podium in the 2002 season.

But only most of the car was revealed as the Paris launch meant that the car fell under the strict French advertising laws, forcing the team to cover up its Mild Seven cigarette paint job, a scheme that will be rolled out tomorrow as the cars hit the track for a test session in Barcelona.

The team is stating modest goals for 2002, aiming to snare a few podiums as it goes through the year and creating what it considers false hopes with brash predictions as the team continues its transformation from Benetton.

"Although we have to be hopeful, we do not want to be arrogant like other teams have been," Renault Motorsport boss Patrick Faure said. "Our hope is to progress and finish as close as possible to the top three teams. We will be disappointed if we are not fourth, but it is more important that we are close to the top three."

Flavio Briatore has been the driving force behind the new squad, which brings a pair of talented drivers in Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli to the grid. The team has been working on making the move to the full Renault operation for nearly a year and Briatore feels that there is nothing that has been overlooked.

"We have created a team that I think is strong," said Briatore. "We have amalgamated the French and UK bases quickly because we have people with good track records at both. It will be difficult for us, but in our first year as Renault we want to get the job done."

Hopes are high for a much faster machine this season as technical director Mike Gascoyne and new managing director Jean-Jacques His reported that the focus has switched as the new RS22 wide-angle V10 engines are being built. Last year the team was trying to get the cars to the end of the day, this year – they want to get them there quicker.

"This year's engine is not completely new, it uses the same architectural philosophy as last year," said His, the man who led Renault's engine department before taking over as managing director earlier this month. "But there are major improvements for 2002. Having concentrated on a high level of reliabilty in 2001, this year we will concentrate on ultimate performance.

"It takes more than one and a half years for a new engine to reach a satisfactory level of development," he continued. "Now that we have acquired this experience, we will be more than capable of responding to the needs of the chassis team by supplying them with competitive units."

Sky lands digital F1 deal

Source: Yahoo Sports
Saturday January 26, 2002

The Sky television channel will carry live and interactive digital coverage of Formula One from this season onwards, following a deal with Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management.

The agreement allows British Sky Broadcasting to broadcast live footage from all three days of each grand prix in 2002 and 2003, and will offer the viewer a variety of new and innovative features previously unavailable on terrestrial coverage. According to Sky, the new service will provide live uninterrupted race coverage, from a range of camera options, as well as statistics and footage from behind the scenes. During qualifying and practice, the service will offer different live feeds and coverage of preparations in the pits, as well as highlights of the session.

Unlike terrestrial coverage, however, the digital coverage will only be available on a pay-per-view basis, with a one-off fee for each three-day grand prix package.

"Formula One followers are amongst the most technically aware of all sports fans, and they will be excited by this new service - the depth of the information now available, and the choice of how to watch every race," said Vic Wakeling, managing director of Sky Sports.

"The interactive experience we have gained since the launch of Sky digital also allows us to work together to enhance and develop the service still further over the next couple of seasons. This is the future, and it is available now."

"We are so pleased to be working with Sky and excited that F1 can now offer British viewers such radically different coverage," commented a delighted Ecclestone, "It has taken time, with F1 investing heavily in the best broadcast technology so we can genuinely take fans closer. Now, alongside traditional race broadcasts, we can offer truly interactive coverage of Grand Prix weekends.

"It's going to be exceptional."

FORMULA ONE UPDATE

Source: FIA
Friday 25 January 2002

SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO : TESTING SCHEDULE
Rubens Barrichello will be in Mugello today (Friday) shooting an advertisement and will be back there on Monday for testing. Both he and Schumacher will be at Barcelona from 29 January to 1 February testing electronics and tyres. Bridgestone is currently involved in a large development programme with new tyres incorporating new compounds and constructions. The new car is nearly ready and will be launched on 6 February in the brand new factory which will be used to assemble engines for both Maserati and Ferrari production cars. Already 300 journalists and 50 photographers are planning to attend. In Valencia last week, while Luciano Burti and Luca Badoer continued tests with development parts including the new gearbox, using the F2001, Schumacher carried out tyre testing for Bridgestone. He was twice fastest of the day, only pipped on the final day by Barrichello on 1m 12.498s - less than 0.1sec ahead of Michael. It was the first time Schumacher had driven in Vanecia and he seemed to like it. He was very pleased with the development of the Bridgestone tyres as well. "I can feel substantial improvements from the new tyre generation", he said.

WEST McLAREN MERCEDES : FIRST RUN FOR NEW CAR
Alexander Wurz gave the new McLaren Mercedes MP4/17 its first public appearance after its launch at Barcelona last Saturday, the Austrian reporting that his initial reaction was that the car had "improved low speed mechanical grip" as compared with its predecessor. David Coulthard took over the car on Sunday and Monday, reporting that he was pleased with his first impressions, while Wurz and Kimi Raikkonen continued tyre and component testing with the interim MP4/16Bs. On Tuesday Wurz got down to a 1m 18.194s in the interim car ahead of Coulthard's 1m 19.280s in the MP4/17 while Raikkonen took over the new car on Wednesday, leaving Coulthard to complete 86 laps in the MP4/16B for a best of 1m 18.236s. Raikkonen managed 58 laps in the MP4/17 despite a minor unspecified technical problem during the morning which prevented him from running as much as he wanted. On Thursday Wurz managed a 1m 18.897s with Raikkonen turning a 1m 19.494s.

BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM : NEW CAR FOLLOWS SEVEN DAY TEST
The new Williams-BMW FW24 was scheduled for its official unveiling today (Friday) at Silverstone where it is the intention that it should complete a handful of shakedown laps in front of the Television cameras before being despatched to Barcelona for its first major test. Today the team's test drivers Antonio Pizzonia and Marc Gene will resume testing at the Circuit de Catalunya with two interim FW23 development cars, last year's chassis fitted with the 2002 engine and gearbox. They will be joined by Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya on Sunday and will test through until Friday 1 February. Last Sunday the team completed an intensive seven day test at Valencia with the interim cars and one of last year's FW23s. The main priority was to complete more running with the latest BMW P82 engine and assessing the power-train development as well as trying the latest Michelin rubber in a variety of condition. Commented Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael: "It's really been an intenseive programme which is set to continue in Barcelona next week." Ralf Schumacher set the third fastest time of the whole test week at Valencia on 1m 12.773s, concentrating on Michelin tyre tests in the 2001 car. Gene and Pizzonia drove the interim chassis, both doing a successful long run on the final day. Gene managed 106 laps and Pizzonia 82 laps, the young Brazilian managing a 1m 13.387s sixth fastest. BMW Sports Director Gerhard Berger said; "It is incredible how much data you collect with a big test with three cars. As far as our new engine is concerned we are very happy. There are small problems, but we know where they are and already have solutions in preparation".

SAUBER PETRONAS : HAPPY WITH C21 TEST
After the trouble-free roll-out at Fiorano, the Sauber Petronas team had another three smooth days of testing with the new C21 at Barcelona. This was chassis C21/02 which went to Spain as chassis 01 had been used to successfully complete all the mandatory crash tests, both at Milan and at the team's Hinwill factory. Nick Heidfeld ran the first two days at Barcelona, completing 52 laps on Monday and 54 on Tuesday. "It is almost frightening that nothing is happening", he joked after expressing himself very satisfied with the reliability and performance of the new car. Heidfeld was only 0.2sec behind Coulthard on Monday and on Tuesday was within 0.1sec of the McLaren on 1m 19.290s. "The new car is better in every aspect, much more agile and easier to drive", he added. On Wednesday Felipe Massa got his first drive in the new Sauber, losing some time to a gearbox failure which occurred after he had a mix-up with the launch control starting procedure. Massa managed a 1m 20.376s after 51 laps, only 0.1sec away from Raikkonen in the new McLaren. The team will return to Barcelona next week. The new Sauber C21 was due to have its official launch in Switzerland today (Friday).

JORDAN HONDA : NEW CAR GETS SILVERSTONE SHAKEDOWN
The first of the new Jordan-Honda EJ-12s had its first run at Silverstone on Tuesday in the hands of Takuma Sato on the South Circuit at the start of a three day test programme. This is an entirely new design based on its predecessor, the EJ-11. Its new carbon-fibre monocoque is complimented by a new aerodynamic package which includes a swooping nose section, whilst the all-new Honda RA200E engine is mated to a revised seven-speed Jordan transmission. On Wednesday Sato was joined by Giancarlo Fisichella, the Italian taking over the EJ-11 to continue engine mapping for Honda and assessing various cooling configurations. Fisichella managed a 1m 38.37s in the new car with Sato trying one of the old EJ-11s, although the session was brought to an end prematurely due to deteriorating weather conditions and heavy rain.

LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA : FOUR GOOD DAYS IN VALENCIA
The BAR-Honda team completed a productive four day test at Valencia which ended last Sunday. Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis took to the track in their new BAR 004s alongside test drivers Anthony Davidson and Ryo Fukuda, who joined the test for two days each. It was Fukuda's first test for the team which was clearly impressed by his debut performance. The test focused on tyre testing, chassis set-up and brake development work and the team is optimistic as it heads back to Spain for the next test at Barcelona on 28 January. Chief Engineer Steve Farrell said; "We've had another good test so we are feeling cautiously optimistic about the progress we've made since the first test in Barcelona".

MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM : NEW CAR LAUNCH IN PARIS
The new Renault RS02 will be officially unveiled on Sunday at the team's Guyancourt headquarters after which it will be flown down to Barcelona in order for testing to start on Monday with Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button. The team will also have a Benetton B201 chassis for test work. The team's schedule is to test all week at Barcelona followed by Monday to Thursday the following week at Valencia. Then it is back to Barcelona the following week and a final three-day shakedown of all three new RS02s at Silverstone from 18-20 February.

JAGUAR RACING : SUSPENSION CHANGES FOR R3
The Jaguar Formula One team took the second of its new R3s to the Lurcy Levis aerodrome circuit in France for straight line tests with Andrea Lotterer at the wheel in a bid to gather more data to improve the performance of the new car's front wing. The team will continue testing at Barcelona today (Friday) with the original R3 chassis which has been fitted with some revised suspension components to rectify a flexing problem which has also been identified. "We are hoping to make a big step forward", said team principal Niki Lauda who will be attending the first two days of Jaguar's latest Barcelona test.

PROST GRAND PRIX : FINAL DECISION ON MONDAY
The commercial court at Versailles met yesterday afternoon to make its final decision concerning the future of Prost Grand Prix. If the ultimate offer, coming from a foreign country, is accepted, the team will be able to carry on. However, if this offer is not considered to be acceptable, the team will have to cease all its activities. The court should make its announcement on Monday.

ORANGE ARROWS : NEW CAR READY NEXT WEEK
The first of the new Arrows-Cosworths will be ready for a preliminary shakedown driven by Enrique Bernoldi at a United Kingdom circuit towards the end of next week. The car will then go to the following week's Valencia test, but there is no news yet as to when it will be formally unveiled or the identity of the team's other driver.

KL MINARDI ASIATECH : TWO SUCCESSFUL DAYS AT MISANO
The KL Minardi team tested for two days in Misano-Adriatico with two cars driven by Alex Yoong and Mark Webber. They were trying components for the new car which should be ready for a shakedown on 1 February. It will then test at Valencia from 4 February. The dynamic crash test was passed on Wednesday in Milan, and the static one on Thursday in Faenza, both successfully. Team principal Paul Stoddart was in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday to launch the new colours of the team and on his return he is expected to nominate the second driver. It seems that Webber made a good impression.

PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING : BARCELONA NEXT WEEK
After a successful first Barcelona test the Toyota team was back at its Paul Ricard base this week for more private testing before it was due back at the Circuit de Catalunya next week with both Mika Salo and Allan McNish when a second 2002 chassis is expected to be ready. The test from 22-24 January at Paul Ricard saw McNish driving all three days in stormy conditions on all three days, with some torrential rain and strong winds. "I have been pleased with the test from two sides", said McNish. "Firstly we have made some progress with the car and I did some consistent running in wet and dry conditions - the first time I have done that with the new car".

Minardi conclude Misano test

Source: Yahoo Sports
January 23, 2002

The KL Minardi Asiatech Formula One team completed a successful two- day test at the Misano-Adriatico Circuit on Wednesday afternoon. Australian driver, Mark Webber, drove on Tuesday and Wednesday, using chassis PS01B-02, while Alex Yoong slotted into a second car, PS01- 01, for the final day.

"Yesterday, we started with fog in the morning and therefore didn't have the opportunity to do too much running. We did manage some laps in the afternoon, but today has been much better, Mark commented. We started on time this morning and spent much of the day testing parts for the new car. After the Valencia test, the team asked me if I would continue to help them with the development program on the new car, and I'm obviously very happy to do so. As for Misano, I have watched lots of good motorcycle racing from here on television. It's not really a suitable track for a Formula One race, but it's very good for the sort of testing work we are doing at the moment."

Alex Yoong had just returned from Kuala Lumpur, where he helped the team launch "Go KL" as its 2002 title sponsor. Early morning fog, which adversely affected testing on Tuesday, cleared in time for the team to start work at 9:30 am on Wednesday with Webber and Yoong working with their engineers to assess new brake and rear suspension components, as well as differential mapping options.

"I arrived back from Malaysia on Tuesday, and therefore missed the first day of the test, although thick fog would have prevented me doing much running even if I had been here yesterday. I know the layout of Misano from the Minardi Day event last year, Alex said. The weather conditions today it was quite cold and the track was very slippery, possibly because of the moisture from the fog - weren't ideal for testing. There was also a problem with the older-specification gearbox fitted to my car and, although it was changed quickly, we didn't complete as many laps as we would have liked. Taking everything into consideration, however, I feel satisfied with today's session."

Mark Webber - Minardi PS01B-02 1:15.452 74 laps (over both days) 
Alex Yoong - Minardi PS01-01 1:16.242 36 laps (Wednesday only) 

No announcement until next Monday

Source: Yahoo Sports
January 23, 2002

Following the deadline of January 15th 2002 set by the Tribunal de Commerce of Versailles, several proposals for financial partnership aiming at the continuation of Prost Grand Prix' activity have been received from foreign investors and have been studied at many meetings involving the Official Receiver and the Judge.

These proposals are similar in their characteristics implying a direct or indirect shareholding participation in the Prost Grand Prix capital and immediate funding allowing the team to honor all of its commitments. Alain Prost, the Administrator and the Court are waiting for complementary pieces of information and guarantees allowing to ensure the company's longevity. For this reason, no judgment has been rendered since January 15.

Due to the existing timing constraints, the Tribunal de Commerce of Versailles will examine the above proposals today, January 24 and should render its ruling on Monday January 28. Should the guarantees mentioned be judged insufficient, the Court, in agreement with Alain Prost and the Judge, would declare the liquidation of the company.

If on the contrary, they are deemed sufficient, the Tribunal de Commerce of Versailles will be able to officialize the protocol fixing the modalities of entry of a new shareholder in the capital of PGP.

Coulthard Paces Barcelona Testing, Jordans See Rain

Source: Speedvision
January 23, 2002

Barcelona, Spain, Jan. 23 — McLaren put its new MP4-17 in the hands of Kimi Raikkonen for the first time Wednesday during testing at Barcelona, but David Coulthard showed that there was plenty of speed in the 2001-spec car, setting a time that was just a tick off of the unofficial track record.

Coulthard spent the day in the MP4-16, testing a new gearbox as well as new Michelin compounds, and hustled the 2001 machine just a tenth of a second off of the 1:18.1 mark posted yesterday by Alexander Wurz in the new McLaren. Raikkonen was nearly two seconds off Coulthard’s pace in his first outing in the new car, but had some mechanical troubles in the morning that curtailed his testing time.

"We had a problem, but the car was good," Raikkonen said. "I need more running."

The Jordan/Honda squad journeyed to Silverstone for some side-by-side testing with the new EJ12 and last year’s EJ11, but rains prevented the team from getting much work in.

Giancarlo Fisichella, who was quick all during last week’s testing at Valencia, had the controls of the new era Jordan, but treacherous conditions led to him beaching it in a gravel trap as persistent rains caused the cars to hydroplane. Takuma Sato was running the EJ11 and was marginally quicker than Fisichella in what little testing was accomplished before the team shut down because of the weather.

Another new car was turning laps at Barcelona as Felipe Massa had the Sauber C21 on track. The Swiss team had to overcome some transmission trouble early in the day, but rebounded to run times that were less than two-tenths off of Raikkonen’s best efforts. At Fiorano, Luca Badoer tested the F2001 Ferrari under simulated wet conditions, running 44 circuits of the private track while testing new components.

Jordan on track with their new EJ12 car

Source: Yahoo Sports
January 21, 2002

LONDON - Jordan rushed their new EJ12 Formula 0ne car straight from factory to test track with Japan's Takuma Sato given first go at the wheel.

The Silverstone-based team said the shakedown at the nearby circuit was completed successfully after factory staff worked through the weekend and into the early hours on Monday to complete the car.

Team boss Eddie Jordan watched Sato, who makes his grand prix debut in Australia on March 3 with Italian team mate Giancarlo Fisichella, complete the run on a cold and windy afternoon.

"It is very pleasing to see it coming together in the way it did and we are all satisfied with today's first outing," said technical director Eghbal Hamidy in a team statement.

"Today was a productive first systems check of our new car" added test and race engineering head Gary Anderson.

Jordan said the new car was an entirely new design but based on last year's Honda-powered EJ11.

"A new carbon fibre monocoque is complemented by a dramatic looking aerodynamic package featuring a swooping front nose section," the team statement said.

Jordan have yet to confirm their title sponsor for 2002 or announce an official launch date for the car. They will start a three day test on Tuesday.

Four teams -- Toyota, British American Racing, Jaguar and McLaren -- have officially unveiled their 2002 challengers so far with Williams and Renault doing so later this week.

Sauber have also run their new car already before their formal launch in Switzerland on Friday.

Valencia test - day eight

Source: Yahoo Sports
January 21, 2002

Ferrari were the only runners today [Monday] at the Valencia circuit, in Spain and Rubens Barrichello set the quickest time of the day, the Brazilian returning to action following his high-speed crash on Saturday.

The day's work for the Maranello based team got underway at 9 o'clock and ended at 5.30pm, Barrichello completing 99 laps and posting a best time of 1 minute 12.498 seconds.

Four times World Champion Michael Schumacher was also in action testing with an F2001, his best time was a 1m 12.544s around five hundredths of a second slower than Barrichello's.

The German completed 89 laps and like his team-mate concentrated on tyre testing and work on electronics.

This was the last day of the test for Ferrari.

Leading times - Valencia:

1. Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 1m 12.498 99 laps*
2. Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1m 12.544 89 laps*

Barcelona test - day one

Source: Yahoo Sports
January 21, 2002

McLaren-Mercedes driver David Coulthard set the fastest time today in Barcelona. DC completed 60 laps in the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-17 following its launch on Saturday and was two tenths up on Nick Heidfeld.

Heidfeld was also running in a 2002 spec car - the Sauber-Petronas C21 and the German completed 52 laps trouble-free laps ahead of Friday's official launch for the Swiss team's 2002 challenger.

The only other driver at the circuit was McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz, the Austrian was around three tenths slower than his Scottish team-mate DC.

Testing continues tomorrow.

Leading times -Barcelona:

1. David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes# 1m 19.399s 60 laps**
2. Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas# 1m 19.585s 52 laps*
3. Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes# 1m 19.682s 38 laps**

 

Prost team waits to hear fate

Source: Yahoo Sports
January 21, 2002

PARIS - Prost employees are keeping their hopes up as the French team's struggle to stay in Formula One enters a decisive phase.

Prost went into receivership in November with debts estimated at around $28 million (20 million pounds) and a decision on their fate is expected within days after weeks of waiting for would-be rescuers to emerge.

Spokeswoman Virginie Papin said team principal and four times champion Alain Prost had an important meeting scheduled on Monday evening to study various proposals in greater depth with court-appointed receiver Franck Michel.

Papin said it would be probably a day or two before an appointment was sought with the court in Versailles which named the receiver.

The new season starts in Australia on March 3, with Prost the only one of 12 teams still without any named drivers and with no title sponsor.

If they do not find a rescuer, the team -- with 300 employees -- faces bankruptcy but Formula One will have the same number of teams that it had last season since Toyota will be making their grand prix debut.

Prost used Ferrari engines in 2001 and that team's sporting director, Frenchman Jean Todt, said last week that the world champions were waiting for word from Paris before deciding what steps to take in their relationship with Prost.

Schumacher quickest while Barrichello crashes

Source: Yahoo Sports
Saturday January 19, 2002

It didn't take Ferrari driver, Michael Schumacher long to stamp his authority on his rivals, the German ace taking Saturday honours at the Valencia circuit. However, teammate Rubens Barrichello, caused a bit of concern after he lost control of his Ferrari on the approach to turn 12, flipping into the air after hitting the barrier.

Thankfully the Brazilian was uninjured in the shunt despite heavy damage to both the barrier and the Ferrari and eventually ended the day fourth quickest.

Olivier Panis in the BAR was second fastest overall, the Frenchman completing 102 laps of the Spanish track. The team's new test driver, Ryo Fukuda had his first taste of the car, the Japanese driver completing 60 laps and finishing eighth with a time of 1:15.406, almost here seconds off Michael Schumacher's pace.

Saturday's times from Valencia:


 Michael Schumacher - Ferrari - 1:12.657 
 Olivier Panis - BAR - 1:13.412 
 Ralf Schumacher - Williams - 1:13.533 
 Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari - 1:13.546 
 Jacques Villeneuve - BAR - 1:13.556 
 Antonio Pizzonia - Williams - 1:13.597 
 Marc Gene - Williams - 1:13.990 
 Ryo Fukuda - BAR - 1:15.406 

Barrichello escapes unhurt after Valencia crash

Source: Yahoo Sports
Saturday January 19, 2002

VALENCIA (Reuters) - Brazilian Rubens Barrichello has escaped injury after a high-speed accident during testing at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain.

Barrichello, competing in his first test of the year, lost control in his Ferrari on the approach to turn 12 and flipped into the air after hitting the circuit barrier.

Despite the impact, Barrichello got out of his cockpit unaided and returned to his Ferrari garage for a check-up as the session was delayed for 40 minutes.

"Rubens is not hurt and is absolutely fine," said a Ferrari spokesperson.

The rear of Barrichello's Ferrari was badly damaged after the impact.

World champion Michael Schumacher was also present for Ferrari as the Italian team continues its pre-season development programme.

Fukuda makes his BAR debut

Source: Yahoo Sports
Saturday January 19, 2002

Day three at Valencia for the BAR outfit saw a further steady progression as Olivier Panis and Jacques Villeneuve continued to test the mettle of their new BAR004s. Olivier's main focus today was car set-up evaluation while Jacques picked up from where he left off with the race simulation that was halted on Friday.

Olivier's best lap - a 1.13.439 - was within 0.8 of Michael Schumacher, who headed up the times with a 1.12.672. Jacques completed 75 laps during a relatively trouble-free morning but his 004/02 suffered a mechanical glitch at the start of the afternoon's running. He was unable to achieve any further laps and the team retired the car mid-afternoon to concentrate on solving the problem.

"I had a very good day today and I'm happy with the progress we've made on the set-up and tyre testing, Panis remarked. Honda are improving the engine step-by- step and the reliability of the car has been good, which is important for the first three Grand Prix in particular because we need early points. We have one final day tomorrow to try some different things but I have had a very positive test so far."

"Today was a little disappointing because I stayed on to make up for the lack of running yesterday, added Jacques Villeneuve. We encountered some problems which are nothing serious but they have cost us quite a bit of track time. Generally the car still feels good so I'm looking ahead to Barcelona now."

New signing Ryo Fukuda commenced his first test for the team today and got a taste of last year's BAR003 just 10 minutes into the session. He spent the morning concentrating on car and track familiarisation but once he was comfortable in the car, Ryo began to work on improving his lap times. He completed 31 laps in the morning and achieved a very respectable fastest lap time of 1.15.597. In the afternoon he put in a further 31 laps and improved his time to a 1.15.419.

"It's been a long time since I drove a racecar - it was the Formula 3 race in Macau. My first impressions of the B.A.R were that it was very fast and I was quite surprised by how powerful the engine felt, the Japanese driver remarked. I was feeling very comfortable in the car so when I first went out I drove 5 or 6 laps before coming into the pits. We did a routine check then I went straight back out and started to feel that I was getting used to the car a little more. I tried a practice launch start and had a minor problem - nothing too bad. My morning session was then cut short when the car stopped out on the circuit. I spun once this afternoon because I tried to push a little hard but afterwards I had no further problems.

My seat was uncomfortable for a while but generally I felt confident in the car. We tried a lot of things so it was very interesting for me because I've never driven a racecar with an automatic gearbox for example. This afternoon I worked on the brake development program and the team plan to continue with that tomorrow. I'm happy with my first day and feel good about what I've achieved so far. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and I'd like to do more laps and talk to the engineers a little more so I can feed back what I'm learning."

"We've had another good day so we're feeling cautiously optimistic about the progress we've made since the first test in Barcelona. Both drivers completed a program of Bridgestone tyre testing today and set some very encouraging times, concluded Steve Farrell, Chief Engineer. We hope that Olivier will consolidate all we've learned here on our final day tomorrow. We were very pleased with Ryo's first-day progress. We allowed the morning for him to settle into learning the circuit and working with us but he steadily built up to a very respectable lap time. This afternoon he continued with some of the brake development work which Anthony Davidson began earlier in the test."

McLaren Mercedes MP4-17 launched in Barcelona!

Source: Yahoo Sports
Saturday January 19, 2002

The West McLaren Mercedes Formula One team presented its 2002 Formula One World Championship challenger, the MP4-17, at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain this morning. Following the unveil in front of more than 300 media guests, third driver Alexander Wurz took the MP4-17 for its first run of the day.

With only a few FIA Formula One regulation changes for the technical team to take into consideration, the MP4-17 is an evolution of last year's car. The main visible differences include changes to the front suspension area and rear bodywork. Aerodynamically, the car has been developed in the team's new, state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility, already in operation at the TAG McLaren Group's new headquarters and technology centre, which is currently under construction in Woking, UK.

In addition to the completely new Mercedes-Benz engine, the FO 110M, the switch to Michelin tyres has had a significant influence on the MP4-17's configuration, with tyres affecting the steering, aerodynamics and the balance of the car. The FO 110M V10 first ran on the dyno on 21st November 2001 and has since been extensively tested on the transient dynos in both Stuttgart and Brixworth.

The MP4-17 is the sixth car appearing in the distinctive West McLaren Mercedes colour scheme introduced at the 1997 Australian Grand Prix, which saw the first victory of the partnership. In the 83 Grand Prix since then, the team has secured 30 race wins, two Drivers' and one Constructors' World Championships.

With Alexander Wurz piloting the MP4-17 throughout today, David Coulthard will have the opportunity to take the wheel tomorrow, at an exclusive test at the Barcelona circuit, and Kimi Raikkonen will be testing the new car for the first time on Wednesday 23rd January.

The West McLaren Mercedes team is optimistic about the challenges ahead of us in the 2002 season, having completed a comprehensive and positive development program during the winter test ban, Ron Dennis remarked. We are launching at this early stage of the pre-season to maximise the opportunity for track work to ensure we are totally prepared for the new season and the ultimate goal for the whole team, the fight for the World Championships.

The team has worked extremely hard since development began on our new car so that we were able to start testing with the West McLaren Mercedes MP4-17 as soon as possible, added Norbert Haug. Now the whole team will be making the best use of the six weeks ahead of us, prior to the first Grand Prix of the year, for testing the car and engine. Our common goal is certainly to be in a position to fight for the World Championships and to give David and Kimi a competitive and reliable package, including the tyres from our new Partner Michelin. Alex will contribute a lot to this process and that is why he is the first of our three drivers to drive the new MP4-17.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Engine: Mercedes-Benz F0110M V10
Chassis: McLaren moulded carbon fibre/aluminium honeycomb composite incorporating front and side impact structures. Contains integral safety fuel cell
Front suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Rear suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Dampers: Penske/McLaren
Tyres: Michelin
Rear wheels: Enkei
Bodywork: One-piece sidepod and engine cover. Separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing.
Fuel: Mobil unleaded
Lubricants: Mobil 1 products
Adhesives: Loctite
Electronics: TAG Electronic Systems control units incorporating electronics for chassis, engine and data acquisition. TAG Electronic Systems also supplies the electronic dash board, ignition coils, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems.
Radio: Kenwood 

Source: Speedvision
Tuesday January 18, 2002

Valencia, Spain, Jan. 18 — With the McLarens finally gone after leading each of the previous four days of Formula 1 testing at Valencia, Ralf Schumacher was finally able to take the top spot on the time charts, leading the day with an unofficial best time of 1:12.990.

Schumacher’s Williams turned a mammoth 100 laps of the Spanish circuit Friday, leading the morning session with a time that stood up for the rest of the day. The BMW-powered cars continued to show strength as the sister car driven by test driver Antonio Pizzonia was less than a second behind Schumacher and third on the charts.

The Williams/BMW duo was split by the surprise of the early season as Olivier Panis continued to show good form in the new British American Racing BAR004. Panis ran 79 laps and topped out at 1:13.771, with teammate Jacques Villeneuve barely over a quarter-second behind him.

Mika Salo’s new Toyota TF102 ended a tough week of work on an up note, running just 1.67sec behind the frontrunning Schumacher. He started the testing season well off the pace in the startup car, but consistent work has helped the team find its footing.

"It's been a long week," said Salo. "The car is getting better day by day and I'm very happy with the progress that is being made."

The two Minardi cars were at the end of the list, but F3 runner Mark Webber was impressive for the second straight day and has apparently taken the point in the hunt for the second seat alongside Alex Yoong. Webber beat Christijan Albers by nearly a second in today’s testing and earned himself another chance next week with the Paul Stoddart-run squad.

"We have been very impressed with Mark's performance at the test," said Stoddart. "So much so that he will test for us again next week. His time was very good, and this sort of performance shows that he can be competitive in F1."

Of course, the Minardi opening is all dependent on what shakes out from the talks with Jos Verstappen and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Webber is under contract with Renault, but the team would likely look favorably on loaning him out to Minardi to get some experience.

Meanwhile, Ferrari test driver Luciano Burti ran at the team’s private Fiorano venue today, logging 73 laps with a top time of 1:23.570.

Valencia test, day five times 

1 Ralf Schumacher - Williams-BMW M 1m12.990s 100 laps
2 Olivier Panis - BAR-Honda, 1m13.771s 79 laps
3 Antonio Pizzonia - Williams-BMW, 1m13.897 57 laps
4 Jacques Villeneuve - BAR-Honda, 1m14.023s 34 laps
5 Marc Gene - Williams-BMW, 1m14.098 59 laps
6 Mika Salo – Toyota, 1m14.661s 74 laps
7 Anthony Davidson- BAR-Honda, 1m15.162s 63 laps
8 Mark Webber - Minardi-European, 1m16.745s 34 laps
9 Christijan Albers- Minardi-European, 1m17.678s 11 laps

FORMULA ONE UPDATE

Friday 18th January 2002

SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO: NEW CAR LAUNCH ON 6 FEBRUARY
At a press conference this week in Madonna di Campiglio, Jean Todt confirmed that the new 2002 F1 Ferrari will be launched on the 6th of February at the factory in Maranello. Although it is based on the F2001, it will be an all-new car including new engine, gearbox and aerodynamics. However Todt has denied rumours that the gearbox will be in unit with the engine, which has been rumoured recently. Todt said it will be a very difficult season with McLaren, Williams and possibly others as contenders. Todt also explained that a second test driver, Luciano Burti, was required because of the pressure of extra tyre testing. On Thursday and Friday of this week Burti was testing components for the new car at Mugello and on Saturday both Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello will start testing for three days at Valencia. They will then be at Barcelona from January 29th through February 1st, after which the new car will be tested at Fiorano and Mugello. Schumacher was recalled to Fiorano to try components for the new car and broke the lap record by 0.09sec.

WEST McLAREN MERCEDES : RAIKKONEN AND COULTHARD QUICK
David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen continued the Michelin tyre test programme for the McLaren-Mercedes team at Valencia this week using the interim MP4/16-based development chassis. Coulthard was fastest on Tuesday with a 1m 13.352s ahead of Raikkonen on 1m 13.510s while the positions were reversed on Wednesday with Raikkonen quickest on 1m 13.159s ahead of Coulthard on 1m 13.415s. On Thursday Raikkonen continued testing alone for a best time of 1m 12.118s after 94 laps. The team will move on to Barcelona tomorrow (Saturday) for the official unveiling and first test runs of the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4/17 where Coulthard and Raikkonen will be joined by test driver Alexander Wurz.

BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM : STEADY PROGRESS AT VALENCIA
The BMW WilliamsF1 team moved to Valencia this week with one 2001 type FW23 and two FW23C development cars fitted with the new BMW P82 engine and its matching gearbox. Juan Montoya managed a 1m 31.314s in the wet on Monday while he was third fastest on 1m 14.194s behind the McLarens on Tuesday despite losing time with a brake cooling duct fire. On Wednesday Antonio Pizzonia managed a 1m 14.370s, having earlier gone off on his installation lap, damaging the suspension on one corner. Marc Gene was also present and managed a 1m 15.628s best. On Thursday Ralf Schumacher took over the fourth of the seven day test, setting a third fastest 1m 13.323s while Montoya managed 1m 14.434s and Gene 1m 14.639s.

SAUBER PETRONAS : NEW CAR HAS ROLL-OUT
The Sauber Petronas team became the fourth Formula One team to get its new 2002 car on the circuit with the roll-out of the new C21 chassis fitted with last year's Ferrari 050 V10. Nick Heidfeld drove 59 laps without any problems, ending up with a time of 1m 00.59s on Tuesday. The new car has a revised nose and airbox, new weight distribution, lower centre of gravity and an optimised gearbox and suspension configuration. Heidfeld reported; "The initial feeling with the car was very good, positive. The car was never towed back to the pits". Technical Director Willy Rampf confirmed; "We checked all the systems and no problem was detected". Meanwhile Felipe Massa did 66 laps in the old C20 as a comparison, doing a 1m 1.42s best. Unfortunately on Wednesday morning the team awoke to find Fiorano covered in show. The team next plans to test at Barcelona from January 21st-23rd.

JORDAN HONDA : SATO AND FISICHELLA AT VALENCIA
The Jordan Honda squad moved on to Valencia with two of last year's EJ-11s this week, starting its programme on Tuesday. Overnight moisture made the track damp in the morning which kept the cars on Bridgestone intermediate rubber from the outset, but dry weather later in the day allowed Fisichella to post a 1m 14.58s best with Takuma Sato managing 1m 15.81s. Launch control development and chassis set-up work were the main priorities. The team continued a productive day's testing on Wednesday with Fisichella setting third fastest time on 1m 13.94s, 1.4sec ahead of Sato. Both men carried out Bridgestone tyre work and while Fisichella also concentrated on suspension geometry tests Sato focused his efforts on weight distribution assessment. On Thursday Fisichela was second fastest on 1m 12.828s with Sato fourth after setting a 1m 13.536s.

LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA : TWO NEW CARS AT VALENCIA
The BAR-Honda team brought two new BAR 004s to Valencia yesterday (Thursday) for Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis, plus one old car for Anthony Davidson. Testing was helped by bright sunshine, Villeneuve managing 48 laps and Panis 81 laps. Panis said; "It was a good day's testing and we managed a lot of laps. At Barcelona we achieved a race distance and here in Valencia the car seemed to go very well".

MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM : THREE DAYS AT VALENCIA
Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button started a three day test at Valencia on Monday, on the first day running on an artificially wet circuit for the purposes of Michelin rain tyre testing. Trulli managed a 1m 32.00s, 0.3sec ahead of Button, while on Tuesday once the wet track had dried out the team was able to continue with dry weather testing as well as work on the brake and chassis systems. "Another useful day's testing, although it was frustrating to have to wait for the track to dry out," said Technical Director Mike Gascoyne. "Jarno's day was stopped early by a minor throttle problem, but he carried out some brake evaluation work on the harder tyre compound and made progress with the chassis set-ups. Jenson conducted a successful tyre programme for Michelin". On Wednesday Trulli went off the track due to a suspension problem, quite badly damaging he car, while Button continued tyre testing for Michelin. Trulli's car was not able to be repaired at the circuit.

JAGUAR RACING : AERODYNAMIC WORK CONTINUES
As Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa continued tyre and development testing at Valencia this week, Jaguar chief aerodynamicist Mark Handford was back at the Swift wind tunnel in California checking out the front wing set-up on the new R3 which the team still feels requires a bit of work since the new car's first test at Barcelona last week. The feeling within the team is that some media reports of the problems have been somewhat exaggerated. "It was always going to be a rush bringing forward the launch of the new car to early January," said a team spokesperson. "But there are still some more aerodynamic components to be fitted to the car and the final aero package will not be seen until the, first race in Melbourne". Irvine continued working on the R3 set-up at Valencia, getting down to a 1m 16.054s by the end of Wednesday while de la Rosa concentrated on Michelin tyre development work in the R2C and managed a 1m 14.594s. The previous Sunday both team principal Niki Lauda and Premier Automotive Group chief Wolfgang Reitzle drove the R2C at Valencia which enabled them to gain a slight inside into the challenges involved handling today's high-tech Formula One cars.

PROST GRAND PRIX : DECISION NEXT WEEK
The fate of Prost Grand Prix is currently being deliberated over by the receivers' office and will not be announced until the start of next week.

ORANGE ARROWS : NEW CAR PROGRESSING WELL
The first of the new Arrows-Cosworth A23s is progressing well in the build shop of the Leafield-based team and will run for the first time at the end of the month, although no official launch date has been announced yet. As far as a team-mate for Enrique Bernoldi is concerned, Tom Walkinshaw is currently talking to both Jos Verstappen and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

KL MINARDI ASIATECH : TESTS AT VALENCIA
Minardi has been testing at Valencia since Tuesday when Matteo Bobbi was tried. On Wednesday Alex Yoong tried a race simulation but there were plenty of red flags. In the afternoon Alfredo Garcia took over from Bobbi. Mark Webber was on hand on Thursday with the Dutchman Albers and they are still running today (Friday). Yoong and Webber will test at Misano on 22nd-23rd January.

PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING : MORE WORK AT VALENCIA
After a three day test at Paul Ricard last week during which both a 5.7km and 3.8km track condiguration was used, the Panasonic Toyota team moved to Valencia where Mika Salo began testing on Tuesday. He managed a best time of 1m 15.97s after 52 laps, admitting it was anoher learning day while they were waiting for additional aerodynamic parts to be delivered. On Wednesday Salo got down to 1m 15.33s after another 57 laps. "Aerodynamics have been the main focus of our test today," said Salo. "We are not going for lap times at this stage - that will come later." Despite slight technical problems, Salo managed a 1m 15.278s best after 30 laps on Thursday.

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