Sauber Mugello testing 2001-10-04

MUGELLO TEST - October 2-4, 2001
Thursday, October 04, 2001
Temperature - air 19° - Weather dry, cloudy, rain at end of day
Driver: Felipe Massa
Distance: 66 laps = 346,17 kilometres
Track length: 5.245 kilometres

Team RED BULL SAUBER PETRONAS concluded three important days of testing at Mugello with 20-year-old Brazilian Felipe Massa today, in preparation for next week's Japanese GP. He covered 66 laps to set the fastest time of the day in 1m 25.228s.

Jacky Eeckelaert, Head of Test Team
"We completed our programme today despite rain at the end of the afternoon. Felipe focused on further aerodynamic work this morning, conducting comparisons with a number of different configurations over 10-lap stints.

"This afternoon we then switched to assessment of Bridgestone's tyres for Suzuka. Mugello is not as abrasive as the Japanese track, where traction out of the hairpin and the tight corners is very important. We were nevertheless able to establish a valid baseline for comparison. Once again, Felipe impressed us with his performance and feedback, which has made a significant contribution to our preparation."

Felipe Massa
"I feel that the three days worked very well with Team RED BULL SAUBER PETRONAS. I would like to thank Peter Sauber for giving me the chance to have driven a Formula I car and show what I can do. This afternoon gave me my first challenge in the wet. I was surprised and delighted to see my lap times. Next week I should be aiming to score my sixth win out of eight races.

"But even though I will be stepping down from Formula I, I know that my new experience will give me even greater confidence."

<pre> Name Chassis Time Laps --------------------------------------------------------- F. Massa Sauber Petronas 1:25.228 66 J. Alesi Jordan Honda 1:25.649 68 D. Manning BAR 1:26.112 39 A. Davidson BAR 1:26.432 42 J. Wilson Jordan Honda 1:27.617 78