Tuesday Valencia testing report 2002-02-05

Five teams and a total of 11 drivers took part in today's test, with Sauber's Nick Heidfeld setting the pace. In warm, dry conditions Heidfeld, concentrating on set-up, clocked a fastest of 1.13.720 over 90 laps in the C21.

Second was the Jordan EJ11 of Takuma Sato, while Heidfeld's Sauber team mate Felipe Massa was third fastest. Massa was practicing running a full race distance and both Saubers proved fast and reliable, finishing ahead of the three Williams on track.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher, both driving an FW24, were fourth and fifth respectively; tester Marc Gene caused the only red flag of the day after spinning but ended up in sixth.

Renault test driver Fernando Alonso in the B201 continued on tyre development duites for Michelin and was seventh ahead of Jenson Button in the R202. Button was standing in for Jarno Trulli who was unwell yesterday, the Englishman concentrating on reliability. His ex-Benetton team mate Giancarlo Fisichella was ninth for Jordan in the EJ12 while KL Minardi rounded up the times -- new signing Mark Webber finishing ahead of Alex Yoong, both using the new PS02.

Orange Arrows are expected to join testing at Valencia tomorrow with the new A23.