AUGUST 22, 2001
Barrichello on top at Mugello
FORMULA 1 testing got underway yesterday (Tuesday), with Ferrari refusing to allow itself to rest on the combined drivers' and constructors' laurels accrued in Hungary.
Sporting director Jean Todt has said nothing else other than completing the whitewash with second place in the drivers' points going to Barrichello and the Brazilian set about the team's preparations for the forthcoming Belgian Grand Prix in determined style, recording the fastest time of the four cars at Mugello on the opening day's running with a time of 1m 25.011s.
The team's test driver Luca Badoer, put in runs focusing on the F-2001's set-up and electronics and went third behind the Sauber of Nick Heidfeld, who logged a best time of 1m 25.357s.
Slowest on the day was the Jordan of Jean Alesi, as the veteran French Sicilian gets more experience of the car in which his 12-year F1 career will either be concluded or reborn. His track time cut down by engine and hydraulics problems, and thus his best effort was 1.2 seconds off that of Barrichello. Alesi will be joined by Jarno Trulli for today's running, while Takuma Sato's manager Andrew Gilbert-Scott will run for Jordan at the concurrent Silverstone test.