MAY 30, 2001

Monza proves no problem for Raikkonen

THE Monza circuit proved no problem for Formula One rookie Kimi Raikkonen as he powered his Sauber to the fastest time in Wednesday testing despite having never driven the track before.

The test provided valuable circuit time for Raikkonen, who will race there later in the year, and he was almost a second faster than his closest rival Juan Pablo Montoya.

Finn Raikkonen worked mainly on tires, but did set-up work on most of the car's systems and on the aerodynamics.

Meanwhile, Montoya's day was not so good after the morning session was stopped early when the engine in the back of Williams expired and laid oil all over the track.

Minardi were also present with Tarso Marques beginning the day's testing and Fernando Alonso taking over for the afternoon session, but both drivers were well off the pace.

MONZA TEST - WEDNESDAY, 30 MAY 2001 POS DRIVER ENTRANT TIME 1. KIMI RAIKKONEN Sauber-Petronas 1:26.157 2. JUAN PABLO MONTOYA Williams-BM W 1:27.135 3. FERNANDO ALONSO European Minardi 1:29.072 4. TARSO MARQUES European Minardi 1:30.015