NewsOnF1 - 16 - 20 September News

20-Sep: At Barcelona, McLaren's David Coulthard set the pace on the final day of testing ahead of Antonio Pizzonia who was testing for Jaguar and Marc Gene testing for Williams.
4 teams were present with 4 drivers setting lap times. David Coulthard covered the most number of laps with 106 while Olivier Panis in the BAR covered the least number of laps with 54 after suffering an engine failure.
Antonio Pizzonia impressed the Jaguar team after improving almost a full second on his time set yesterday. Pizzonia now has a good chance of securing a drive next year.
BAR are also conducting a 4 day straight line test at the Idiada circuit in Spain with test driver Anthony Davidson.

Click here for the test times from Barcelona

At Mugello, Michael Schumacher set the fastest time on the final day of testing ahead of Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer. Both drivers continued the programme of electronic testing.
Michael Schumacher covered the most number of laps with 88 while Luca Badoer managed 60 laps.
Weather conditions were mainly sunny with air temperatures reaching 27 degrees while the track temperature reached 37 degrees.

Click here for the test times from Mugello

At Paul Ricard, Toyota concluded their 4 day test in preparation for the US Grand Prix. Regular drivers Mika Salo and Allan McNish were at the wheel of the TF102 as well as IRL driver Helio Castroneves who drove on the final day of the test.
Helio Castroneves was pleased with his first taste of a Formula 1 car and said "I loved every single second of today’s session. I did quite a few laps, doing some long runs as well as some qualifying laps. This was my first time in a Formula 1 car and I was impressed by how easy the TF102 was to drive, and especially by the braking. The team were great and worked professionally and I am very happy with the overall organisation of the day."
The team also tested the TF102B in preparation for the 2003 season. The TF102B was fitted with next year's engine, the RVX-03 as well as their new seven speed gearbox. Test driver Stephane Sarrazin drove the TF102B for all 4 days and covered a total of 172 laps.
No times were available.

20-Sep: Following a successful test for Sauber, Heinz Harald Frentzen will replace Felipe Massa at the United States Grand Prix. Frentzen is delighted to be able to drive for the team sooner than expected and said "The test in Silverstone made it clear to me that the C21 is an excellent race car. I was able to familiarise myself with its handling as well as with the electronic systems. The seating position is still a compromise, and we will try to improve it further prior to the US Grand Prix. I'm very happy that I can drive a race for SAUBER PETRONAS at this early stage, and I will give my utmost to support the team in its battle against very strong competitors."
Team boss Peter Sauber is hoping Frentzen will help the team in scoring crucial points and said "Heinz-Harald made a very strong impression at Silverstone and he adapted quickly to the car as well as the seating position. The decision puts us in a strong position to defend our championship position"

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19-Sep: At Silverstone, Heinz Harald Frentzen tested the Sauber C21 for the first time and went on to set the fastest time of the day ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso.
Frentzen's time was just fractionally slower than the best time set by Nick Heidfeld yesterday.
3 teams were present with 4 drivers setting lap times. Fernando Alonso covered the most number of laps with a massive 106 laps while both Heinz Harald Frentzen and Giancarlo Fisichella covered 71 laps each.
Weather conditions were overcast but dry with air temperature reaching 16 degrees and track temperatures reaching 24 degrees.
Testing at Silverstone ends today.

Sauber have yet to make a decision on whether Frentzen will be replacing Massa at Indy or not. Peter Sauber said "This was in fact a very impressive come back to the Sauber Petronas Team for Heinz-Harald Frentzen. He completed 71 laps and set the fastest time of the day, and he achieved this in a seating position which is only a compromise for him. Unfortunately, Heinz-Harald Frentzen went off into the tyre barrier on his very last lap which caused considerable damage to the car. Heinz-Harald Frentzen got out of the car himself and went to the medical center at the race track for a first check, which didn't reveal any signs of an injury at this point in time. An additional routine check will be done at the Oxford hospital later today. Heinz-Harald Frentzen will decide later about his potential participation in the Indy race."

Click here for the test times from Silverstone

At Barcelona, McLaren's David Coulthard set the pace ahead of McLaren's test driver Olivier Gavin and BAR's Jacques Villeneuve.
4 teams were present with 7 drivers setting lap times. Coulthard and Villeneuve covered the most number of laps with 89 laps each.
Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia took over from Pedro de la Rosa in the afternoon and drove the Jaguar R3 for the first time. He covered 28 laps with a fastest time of 1:19.590.
Weather conditions were sunny with air temperatures reaching 29 degrees while the track temperature reached 42 degrees.
Testing continues tomorrow.

Click here for the test times from Barcelona

At Mugello, Michael Schumacher set the fastest time of the day ahead of Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer. Both drivers continued the programme of electronic testing.
Michael Schumacher covered the most number of laps with 90 while Luca Badoer managed 81 laps.
Weather conditions were mainly sunny with air temperatures reaching 32 degrees while the track temperature reached 41 degrees.
Ferrari continue testing here tomorrow.

Click here for the test times from Mugello

At Fiorano, Ferrari's test driver Luciano Burti shook down the 3 cars headed for the US GP. He covered a total of 25 laps in all three cars with a best time of 1:01.551.
In addition, Burti practiced some starts and the pit crew practiced wheel changes.

19-Sep: Indy Racing League driver Sarah Fisher will drive the spare McLaren MP4-17 the US Grand Prix weekend for a demonstration run. Sarah will become the first female driver to drive a Formula 1 car since Giovanni Amati drove the Brabham back in 1992.
Sarah's demonstration drive is part of a promotional campaign for TAG Heuer.
Sarah Fisher said "I’m obviously very excited about driving a Formula One car in front of my home crowd. Its extremely rare to get a chance like this and I can’t wait. I’m grateful to TAG Heuer, Bernie Ecclestone and West McLaren Mercedes for making this happen, and hopefully it will help to promote Formula One in the USA and will also bring international attention to my series, the Indy Racing League as well."
McLaren's managing director Martin Whitmarsh said "We are pleased to provide Sarah with this one-off opportunity. Through our 39 year history we have never had a female drive one of our Formula One cars so I guess it’s about time. Hopefully Sarah’s demonstration will assist in promoting Formula One in America further and give her a taste of the category."

18-Sep: At Silverstone, Nick Heidfeld set the fastest time of the day ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso.
3 teams were present with 5 drivers setting lap times. Nick Heidfeld covered the most number of laps with 70 laps while Giancarlo Fisichella covered 64 laps. Jenson Button pulled out of the test after not feeling well and was replaced by test driver Olivier Gavin.
Weather conditions were overcast but dry with air temperature reaching 14 degrees and track temperatures reaching 22 degrees.
Testing continues tomorrow with the crucial test for Heinz Harald Frentzen were it will be determined if he'll drive for Sauber at the US GP instead of Felipe Massa.

Click here for the test times from Silverstone

At Barcelona, McLaren's test driver Alexander Wurz continued to set the pace ahead of Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia while Darren Turner testing for McLaren was 3rd fastest.
Wurz time of 1:16.938 was the fastest time ever set on this track during a test session.
4 teams were present with 6 drivers setting lap times. Alexander Wurz covered the most number of laps with 76 followed by Pedro de la Rosa with 55 laps.
Weather conditions were overcast with air temperatures reaching 27 degrees while the track temperature reached 39 degrees.
Testing continues tomorrow with Pizzonia expected to switch teams and test the Jaguar R3.

Click here for the test times from Barcelona

At Mugello, Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer continued to set the pace ahead of the other Ferrari test driver Luciano Burti. Badoer covered a total of 56 laps while Luciano Burti managed 43 laps.
The team concentrated on tyre and electronic testing.
Minardi were also present giving Russian driver Sergei Zlobin a test drive. He covered 45 laps and was over 13.5 seconds off the pace.
Weather conditions were sunny with air temperatures reaching 26 degrees while the track temperature reached 40 degrees.
Ferrari continue testing here tomorrow with Michael Schumacher replacing Luciano Burti who moves to Fiorano.

Click here for the test times from Mugello

17-Sep: All Formula 1 teams are back testing this week in preparation for the US Grand Prix as well as testing new components for next year's cars.
At Silverstone, Felipe Massa set the fastest time of the day ahead of Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.
2 teams were present with 3 drivers setting lap times. Jenson Button covered the most number of laps with 69 laps while Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso covered 64 laps each.
Weather conditions were overcast but dry with air temperature reaching 15 degrees and track temperatures reaching 22 degrees.
Testing continues tomorrow with the Jordan team expected to join in the action.

Click here for the test times from Silverstone

At Barcelona, McLaren's test driver Alexander Wurz was fastest ahead of Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia while Darren Turner testing for McLaren was 3rd fastest.
2 teams were present with 4 drivers setting lap times. Alexander Wurz covered the most number of laps with 80 followed by Antonio Pizzonia with 77 laps.
Weather conditions were sunny with air temperatures reaching 25 degrees while the track temperature reached 36 degrees.
Testing continues tomorrow with the Jaguar and BAR teams expected to join in the action.

Click here for the test times from Barcelona

At Mugello, Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer set the fastest time of the day ahead of the other Ferrari test driver Luciano Burti. Badoer covered a total of 79 laps while Luciano Burti managed 70 laps.
The teams concentrated on tyre and electronic testing.
Weather conditions were sunny with air temperatures reaching 24 degrees while the track temperature reached 33 degrees.
Ferrari continue testing here tomorrow with Minardi expected to join in the action

Click here for the test times from Mugello

Toyota is testing in private at Paul Ricard this week.

17-Sep: As a result of Felipe Massa's penalty where he will be dropped 10 grid places at the upcoming US GP (story), the Sauber team have announced that newly signed Heinz Harald Frentzen will replace Massa at that event if his test this week with the Sauber team proves successful.
Team boss Peter Sauber said "The decision of the Stewards of the Meeting in Monza to relegate Felipe by ten grid positions at the Indy race forced us to think about alternatives. This verdict would be a major setback in our quest to defend our position in the Constructors' Championship.
Only the test in Silverstone will finally show, whether Heinz-Harald will be able to drive competitively in this seating position. All further decisions will depend on the outcome of the test drive."

Heinz Harald Frentzen was surprised but would be delighted to drive for the team at Indianapolis and said "Peter Sauber phoned on Monday and informed me about the new situation. I would be very happy if I could already drive for SAUBER PETRONAS in Indianapolis."

Frentzen is expected to test for Sauber on Thursday the 19th of September.

Antonio Pizzonia will be driving two Formula 1 cars this week. Early in the week he will be doing his usual job as a test driver for Williams but later in the week he switches to Jaguar where he is scheduled to test the Jaguar R3 on Thursday and Friday.
Jaguar have given Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber the opportunity to test for them this year. Alonso has since been confirmed as Renault's driver for next year while Mark Webber's drive for next year has yet to be finalised.
Jaguar have yet to announce their driver line-up for next year. Eddie Irvine is rumoured to be going to Jordan while Pedro de la Rosa is under contract for next year although his performances this season may give Jaguar a chance to replace him.

The Toyota team will give Indy Racing League driver Helio Castroneves a test drive in their car this week at Paul Ricard.
Toyota have signed Olivier Panis for next year but have yet to announce their second driver. Cristiano da Matta is believed to be in the hot seat for that position.

16-Sep: "Your thoughts on the Italian Grand Prix" - Topic of the week - Have Your Say