JUNE 25, 2002

Testing begins in Barcelona

PREPARATIONS for the British GP began for many of the teams at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona Tuesday. David Coulthard led the closely matched field of eight in the McLaren MP4/17.

Williams-BMW test driver Antonio Pizzonia was second fastest on the day, working alongside fellow test driver Marc Gene. The team worked through a tire program for Michelin with track temperatures climbing to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nick Heidfeld was behind the wheel for Sauber. The team worked on the PS02's aerodynamic setup for Silverstone, as well as continued the launch control development the team has been relentlessly working on for months. Felipe Massa will take over for his teammate Wednesday and Thursday, while Heidfeld heads to the Vairano circuit in Italy to conduct straight line testing.

Jenson Button worked behind the wheel of the Renault R202, conducting, mostly, setup work. Jenson and the team will return Wednesday with a full tire program to conduct for Michelin.

Takuma Sato worked on general setup for Jordan, while Enrique Bernoldi was behind the wheel for a rare Arrows test. Bernoldi ended the day at the bottom of the time sheet, but was just a second off Coulthard's pace.

Testing will continue Wednesday in Barcelona.

BARCELONA TEST - TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2002

POS

DRIVER ENTRANT TIME

1.

DAVID COULTHARD McLaren-Mercedes 1:19.494

2.

ANTONIO PIZZONIA Williams-BMW 1:20.008

3.

NICK HEIDFELD Sauber-Petronas 1:20.129

4.

ALEXANDER WURZ McLaren-Mercedes 1:20.170

5.

JENSON BUTTON Renault 1:20.257

6.

MARC GENE Williams-BMW 1:20.277

7.

TAKUMA SATO Jordan-Honda 1:20.458

8.

ENRIQUE BERNOLDI Arrows-Cosworth 1:20.495