Barcelona Sauber test notes 2002-01-31

Barcelona Test
Circuit de Catalunya, Thursday, 31 January 2002
Weather: Warm, and dry
Temperature: Track 19°; Air 16°
Distance: 140 laps, 665 kms

Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa set the two fastest times today as they completed Team Sauber Petronas's three-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. Nick set the best time of 1m 17.891s over 73 laps, while Felipe managed 1m 18.605 s over 67 laps.

Willy Rampf (Technical director): "Thanks to the reliability of the new Sauber Petronas C21 we have been able to complete our entire testing programme despite numerous red flags for other teams during the past three days. We are very confident in the results that we have achieved so far."

Nick Heidfeld: "This has been a satisfactory test for us. Today I concentrated on set-up work for qualifying in Melbourne, and despite a minor driveshaft problem this morning we were able to do more work than yesterday. The car was well balanced in qualifying trim and it's always nice to be fastest, but what will really count is what happens at the first race."

Felipe Massa: "I feel that I have learned a great deal this week, about the business of getting the most from an F1 car and about the C21 itself. Everything has been very positive, but there is still so much more to learn. Today I had my first experience of running an F1 car in qualifying trim, and I am pleased that I managed to improve my times." <pre> Names Chassis Laptime Laps Nick Heidfeld Sauber Petronas 1.17.891 73 Felipe Massa Sauber Petronas 1.18.605 67 Marc Gene Williams F1 1.19.233 63

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