Sauber Barcelona test notes 2002-06-27

Team Sauber Petronas completed its three-day test at Barcelona today, in preparation for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next week. Felipe Massa covered 91 laps setting a time of 1.19.345s during the course of race distance running. At the same time, Nick Heidfeld completed a successful two-day series of aerodynamic validation runs at Vairano in Italy.

Jacky Eeckelaert (Head of Test Team):

"We are very pleased with the work that we carried out today. Our plan was to complete at least a race distance, so not necessarily all in one go. Felipe actually covered 91 laps which is considerably more than a Grand Prix distance and we are very satisfied with the data that we have accrued. Luckily, Felipe did not hurt himself when he had a brake failure on the last lap. This caused the car to go off-track at the end of the straight."

"Our straight-line tests at Vairano were also extremely successful. The ambient temperature was so high there that Nick was obliged to take regular breaks from driving during 635 kilometres of running. This aerodynamic validation yielded some valuable data for the rest of the tracks on the 2002 racing calendar."

Felipe Massa:

"Apart for my brake problem at the end of the day, this has been a very productive two-days for me. On both days I did a lot of laps with the Sauber Petronas C21. After this test, I am feeling confident for Silverstone. I am looking forward to the British Grand Prix next week."

Nick Heidfeld:

"It was quite an experience driving in such heat in Vairano. We covered a lot of kilometres running up and down which has enabled us to confirm the research work that our aerodynamicist have been carrying out in the wind tunnel."

-sauber-