JANUARY 31, 2003

Weather hampers testing in Valencia

Ferrari, Sauber and BAR returned to Valencia Friday to conduct a day of wet weather testing for tire supplier Bridgestone on an artificially wet track, but the weather, which has hampered the teams all week, once again forced the teams to change their programs.

The track was soaked in the morning for the teams to collect data, but the cold temperatures prevented them from generating suitable tire temperatures. It was then decided that the track would be allowed to dry so the teams could conduct testing on other systems.

Michael Schumacher switched his concentration to electronics testing for Ferrari, while Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Nick Heidfeld worked on pit stops and some other system checks. Jacques Villeneuve was also in action for BAR.

The teams will head to Barcelona next week to continue testing.