Sauber Mugello testing notes 2002-02-17

Mugello Circuit, Sunday, 16 February 2002
Weather: Very wet initially, then dry.
Temperature: Track 14°; Air 9°
Distance: 124 laps - 651 kilometres

Team SAUBER PETRONAS continued its three-day test at Italy's Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello today, in the final run before the cars are flown out to Melbourne for the Qantas Australian Grand Prix on March 3. Felipe Massa set the quicker time in 1m 24.984s over 72 laps, but Nick Heidfeld spun on his 53rd lap and damaged his car after posting a best lap of 1m 25.119s.

Only Felipe will complete the test tomorrow as a result.

Willy Rampf (Technical Director): "Our original plan had been for Nick to focus on more aerodynamic assessment work today and for Felipe to go for another race run, but with the poor weather at the start of the day we changed our programme. This morning Nick did three back-to-back comparisons with different types of Bridgestone wet weather tyre, and also had a run on intermediates. The conditions improved a lot this afternoon, but unfortunately, following Nick's accident we have decided to send his C21 back to Hinwil for repairs in time for Melbourne, so only Felipe will run tomorrow."

Nick Heidfeld: "The weather was dreadful this morning, but at least it gave us a good opportunity to do the tyre comparison work. The car was handling very well even though we didn't do anything special to tune it for the conditions. I was really hoping for good conditions so that we could do the final preparations for Melbourne, but when the car oversteered in Turn Six this afternoon I didn't catch it in time and spun. I'm very disappointed."

Felipe Massa: "I'm glad that the weather improved this afternoon, so that I was able to complete my third Grand Prix distance. The car was working well, and I gained further valuable experience which will be a big help when I get to Melbourne." <pre> Names Chassis Laptime Laps Felipe Massa Sauber Petronas 1m24.984s 72 Nick Heidfeld Sauber Petronas 1m25.119s 52

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