Minardi concludes testing at Misano-Adriatico circuit

MISANO, ITALY, January 23, 2002 - The KL Minardi Asiatech Formula One team this afternoon completed a successful two-day test at the Misano-Adriatico Circuit. Australian, 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. The Malaysian driver 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 0930 hrs today, Webber and Yoong working with their engineers to assess new brake and rear suspension components, as well as differential mapping options.

MARK WEBBER
"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. 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 programme 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
"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. 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."

Minardi testing details, Misano, Italy
Wednesday, January 22/23
Weather: cool, misty, track surface dry
Air temperature: 8 deg C
Track temperature: 9 deg C

Driver: Mark Webber (AUS)
Chassis allocated: Minardi PS01B-02
Laps completed: 74 (Tues 33; Wed 41)
Fastest lap: 1 min 15.452 secs

Driver: Alex Yoong (MY)
Chassis allocated: Minardi PS01-01
Laps completed: 36 (drove Wed only)
Fastest lap: 1 min 16.242 secs

-kl minardi-