Minardi Valencia Friday testing notes 2002-02-08

VALENCIA, SPAIN, February 8, 2002 - KL Minardi Asiatech today completed the first serious test of its new PS02 chassis and, at the conclusion of the four-day session at Valencia, drivers and engineers alike pronounced themselves highly satisfied with the progress made. With weather conditions the best they've been this week, it was not surprising that times improved significantly, both Alex Yoong, in the 2002 chassis, and Mark Webber, at the wheel of last year's car, recording times in the 1 minute 15-second bracket. KL Minardi Asiatech moves to the Circuit de Catalunya over the weekend, in order to commence a busy three-day test at the Barcelona track on Monday.

ALEX YOONG
"It was useful to be able to compare the new chassis with last year's, which I have been driving most of the week. The PS02 definitely has more downforce, and certainly has the potential to be quicker. We didn' t attempt to do any set-up work, and although we suffered a small technical problem, the lads sorted it out and we managed to get out again for the last five minutes of today's session on new tyres. The time was quite good, which is encouraging, because there is considerable potential in the car and engine."

MARK WEBBER
"Today, we just wanted to check a few things on the old car in terms of traction control, and did 25 laps in order to accomplish that. I'm now really looking forward to driving the PS02 chassis again in Barcelona and doing a good job for the team."

PAUL STODDART, Team Principal, KL Minardi Asiatech
"We planned this week's test as an extended shakedown and systems check for the PS02. The car has run well, with no mechanical problems, and we have achieved all our goals. The aerodynamic and mechanical specification of the car we have run here is a long way from that which we will use in Melbourne, so no chassis set-up work or performance optimisation has been carried out yet. We now look forward to the test in Barcelona next week, when we will begin to see the potential of the car in full Melbourne specification."

-minardi-