Sauber Paul Ricard test notes 2002-05-14

Team Sauber Petronas began a four-day test at the Le Castellet circuit at Paul Ricard in the south of France today. Felipe Massa completed 81 laps for a best time of 1m38.940s. He will alternate for the rest of the week with Nick Heidfeld, who is now fully recovered from his accident in Austria. Nick had a check-up at the University Hospital in Zurich yesterday and an intensive course of physiotherapy on a bruised left knee today, with team physio Josef Leberer. He will drive tomorrow and again on Friday.

Jacky Eeckelaert (Head of Vehicle Engineering):

"It's been very instructive to come here to Paul Ricard to test. It's a very good track for this work, and will be better still tomorrow when more cars are running, as the track surface was still a little bit dirty with just Felipe running today. "We completed a programme of aerodynamic work in preparation for Monte Carlo and Montreal, and Felipe was able to cover one and a half Grand Prix distances without any problems at all."

Felipe Massa:

"It's been enjoyable to come here to learn another new track, and I really like the long back straight. The weather has been great and today I didn't have to worry about traffic since I was the only car out there! We did a lot of good work today and the Sauber Petronas C21 worked perfectly."

Le Castellet, 14/05/2002
Felipe Massa
Laptime: 1m 38.940s
Laps: 81

Weather: Sunny and hot
Temperature: Track 420; Air 230
Distance: 81 laps, 470 kms
Track Length: 5,760 kilometres

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