NewsOnF1 - 2 - 8 September News

6-Sep: On the final day of testing at Monza, Rubens Barrichello set the fastest time of the day ahead of Pedro de la Rosa and Mika Salo.
9 teams were present (with Jordan concluding their testing yesterday). 14 drivers set lap times with Rubens Barrichello covering the most number of laps with 50 followed by Jarno Trulli with 49 laps and Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia with 44 laps.
Once again the weather interrupted the normal proceedings as overnight rain kept the track damp until mid-morning and the teams only had a couple of hours of dry running as the session ended at 12:30 PM.
There were several red flag incidents with Montoya going off and damaging his car, both Trulli and Button suffering engine failures and Pedro de la Rosa stopping on the track with a mechanical problem.
Weather conditions were damp to dry with air temperature reaching 22 degrees and track temperatures reaching 30 degrees.

Click here for the test times from Monza

The Sauber team announced today the extension of their agreement with Bridgestone for their tyre supply for the next 2 seasons. A statement released by the team read "SAUBER PETRONAS has extended the contract with its tyre supplier Bridgestone for another two years until the end of 2004. Team Principal Peter Sauber said: "This is an important step for SAUBER PETRONAS to ensure technical continuity and the competitiveness of the team. We began our collaboration with Bridgestone in 1999, and it has been very successful ever since. Bridgestone has proven to be a reliable partner, providing SAUBER PETRONAS with very competitive tyres, and I am confident that our partnership will continue to be successful."

5-Sep: On the third day of testing at Monza, Jaguar's Pedro de la Rosa set the fastest time on the track this year ahead of David Coulthard and Williams' test driver Antonio Pizzonia.
All the Formula 1 teams were again present today (with the exception of Arrows) and 15 drivers set lap times. David Coulthard covered the most number of laps with 92 followed by Felipe Massa with 79 laps and Rubens Barrichello with 78 laps.
There were several red flags interrupting the session with Fisichella, Panis and Trulli all stopping on the track with problems. Both Fisichella and Panis suffered engine failures.
Weather conditions were dry with air temperature reaching 26 degrees and track temperatures reaching 39 degrees.
Testing concludes tomorrow.

Click here for the test times from Monza

At Paul Ricard, Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer concluded the tyre development programme he started two days ago. Badoer covered 71 laps with a best time of 1:37.848.

5-Sep: Lk retains the lead in the 6 'n' Pole Competition following the round of Belgium by 2 points ... Overall Results ... Belgium Results ... Popular Picks ... Register

4-Sep: The FIA confirmed today that they have received a response from the Arrows team in response to the FIA's request for an explanation of the team's recent actions in the Formula 1 Championship. The FIA didn't comment on the Arrows response.
The statement read "As has been widely reported the FIA requested a written explanation from the Orange Arrows team regarding some of its recent actions in the FIA Formula One World Championship.
The FIA has received a communication from Arrows which it is now studying. Any further comment would be inappropriate at this stage."

4-Sep: On the second day of testing at Monza, Ralf Schumacher set the pace ahead of his brother Michael Schumacher and Pedro de la Rosa.
It was another day of mixed weather conditions forcing the teams to alter their testing programmes. All the Formula 1 teams with the exception of Arrows were present and 15 drivers set lap times. Michael Schumacher covered the most number of laps with a massive 102 laps followed by Jarno Trulli with 86 laps and Alex Yoong with 70 laps.
The teams continued their preparation for the upcoming Italian GP.
A number of red flags interrupted the running with Irvine, Villeneuve, Heidfeld and Gene all stopping on the track.
Weather conditions were mixed with rain failing intermittently throughout the day. Maximum air temperature was 22 degrees while track temperatures reached 24 degrees.
Testing continues tomorrow.

Click here for the test times from Monza

At Paul Ricard, Luca Badoer continues his test programme for Ferrari. He concentrated on set-up work and tyre evaluation covering 64 laps and setting a best time of 1:39.370.

3-Sep: Formula 1 Teams have returned to the Monza track for testing in preparation for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on the 15th of September. On the first day of testing, Michael Schumacher set the fastest time ahead of BAR's test driver Anthony Davidson and Williams' test driver Marc Gene.
7 teams were present with 11 drivers setting lap times today. Anthony Davidson covered the most number of laps with 78 followed by Michael Schumacher with 57 and Marc Gene with 56.
Most of the teams concentrated on set-up work in preparation for the Italian GP.
The session was interrupted by a number of red flags due to drivers stopping on the track. One of those interruptions was due to spectacular engine failure on Ralf Schumacher's Williams.
Weather conditions were mixed with dry conditions in the morning turning to wet in the afternoon. Maximum air temperature was 22 degrees while track temperatures reached 26 degrees.
Testing continues tomorrow with the remaining Formula 1 teams expected to join in (with the exception of the Arrows team.)

Click here for the test times from Monza

At Paul Ricard, Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer started a test programme for Ferrari concentrating on set-up and tyre evaluation. He completed 64 laps with a best time of 1:40.098.
Badoer continues testing tomorrow

2-Sep: Minardi's boss Paul Stoddart has confirmed that Alex Yoong will take back his seat for the Italian Grand Prix after being replaced for the past 2 races by Anthony Davidson due to poor form. Stoddard praised Davidson for his efforts and hinted that he could be back with the team next year and said "Unfortunately, it was a two-race deal and Alex Yoong will be back for Monza but I wouldn't rule out Anthony driving for us next year - he's certainly done enough to justify his place in F1."
As for Yoong, Stoddard has also confirmed that the Malaysian won't be driving for the team next year but will still be involved with the team and said "Alex will be involved with us next year, he won't be racing but he will be involved with the team next year.
I'm a bit funny with drivers. Once they've driven for me, they sort of become a bit of the family. If Alex can get something else that he wants to do then I'll help and support him to do that."

Minardi will be offering Russian driver Sergei Zlobin a test in their car at Ferrari's Fiorano track this week. It comes as part of a sponsorship deal with Russian Gas giant Gazprom.

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