Formula One News — February 2002

Suzuka has long needed to be revamped.

The new KL Minardi-Asiatech PS02 made its first appearance on Friday with Alex Yoong doing the first shakedown runs at Imola.

It is German election time and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is looking at ways to hold off the challenge from Edmund Stoiber.

Antonio Pizzonia was the sole test driver for Williams on Friday in Barcelona, and, in 74 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya, the Brazilian out-paced the rest of the field by more than half a second in an FW23 fitted with the new BMW engine.

The cable company United Pan-Europe Communications, the parent company of Arrows sponsor Chello, has announced plans to pay off $7bn of debt by issuing new shares, thus diluting the existing shareholdings.

General Motors launched its Cadillac Le Mans program two years ago to change the international image of the brand and to increase sales around the world.

The Sauber team was very confident at the launch of the new C21 that the car was going to be better than the 2001 car but testing in Barcelona has shown that the car is very impressive indeed.

Williams's sponsor Compaq has gained clearance from the European Commission for the takeover of the firm by Hewlett-Packard.

The Ford Motor Company is not having a good time at the moment.