MARCH 21, 2002

New F2002 fastest in Barcelona

Michael Schumacher joined testing in Barcelona Thursday in order to help the team test and develop the new F2002.

POINTS LEADER and defending champion Michael Schumacher joined testing in Barcelona Thursday in order to help the team test and develop the new F2002, and the German set the quickest lap of the day by nearly half a second over teammate Rubens Barrichello in a second F2002. The two Ferrari stars were joined by test driver Luca Badoer, who completed tire testing in a F2001 chassis.

Alexander Wurz continued work for McLaren in a MP4/16, and David Coulthard joined the test Thursday, at work in a MP4/17. Wurz was third fastest on the day, and Coulthard, who is yet to finish a GP in 2002, ended the day in 7th.

Pedro De la Rosa continued comparison testing for Jaguar Thursday, running the R2 4th fastest on the day. Eddie Irvine will join De la Rosa Friday for the team's final day in Barcelona, after which the team will decide which chassis to race in Imola in three weeks.

Marc Gene and Ralf Schumacher were in action for Williams. Gene finished the day 5th fastest in an updated FW23, and Schumacher 10th in a FW24.

Olivier Panis and Anthony Davidson tested for BAR. Davidson took the place of Jacques Villeneuve, who was scheduled to test this week, but had to cancel because of back problems.

Giancarlo Fisichella tested for Jordan, and Mika Salo relieved Ryan Briscoe for Toyota. Jarno Trulli completed just 7 laps in a Renault R202 due to an electrical problem that hampered his running all day. Jenson Button will take over for Trulli Friday.

BARCELONA TEST - THURSDAY, 21 MARCH 2002

POS

DRIVER ENTRANT TIME

1.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1:18.408

2.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Ferrari 1:18.834

3.

ALEXANDER WURZ McLaren-Mercedes 1:18.864

4.

PEDRO DE LA ROSA Jaguar-Cosworth 1:19.234

5.

MARC GENE Williams-BMW 1:19.535

6.

LUCA BADOER Ferrari 1:19.563

7.

DAVID COULTHARD McLaren-Mercedes 1:19.846

8.

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA Jordan-Honda 1:20.374

9.

OLIVIER PANIS BAR-Honda 1:20.510

10.

RALF SCHUMACHER Williams-BMW 1:20.649

11.

FELIPE MASSA Sauber-Petronas 1:20.737

12.

ANTHONY DAVIDSON BAR-Honda 1:21.284

13.

MIKA SALO Toyota 1:22.100

14.

JARNO TRULLI Renault 1:38.057