SEPTEMBER 3, 2002

Rain slows testing at Monza

Six of the Formula One teams tried to kick off a four day test at Monza Tuesday, but heavy rain prevented anyone from completing a full dry day of testing.

Seven of the Formula One teams kicked off a four day test at Monza Tuesday, but heavy rain prevented anyone from completing a full dry day of testing. Ferrari, Williams, Renault, Sauber, BAR and Toyota test drivers completed dry testing in the morning before heavy storms hit the area. The teams switched their programs to wet testing, and Minardi joined in with David Saelens in the afternoon.

Michael Schumacher topped the time sheets, setting the pace in the morning, and was followed by BAR test driver Anthony Davidson, who has been behind the wheel for Minardi at the last two grands prix.

Marc Gene and Ralf Schumacher were in action for Williams, setting up the FW24 for the high-speed Monza circuit. Nick Heidfeld was behind the wheel for Sauber, and Patrick Lemarie tested alongside Davidson at BAR.

Renault and Toyota both fielded two drivers Tuesday at Monza. Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli were in action for Renault, while Ryan Briscoe and Stephane Sarrazin worked for Toyota.

McLaren, Jaguar and Jordan are scheduled to test at Monza this week as well. Another Minardi test team spent Tuesday at the newly resurfaced Fiorano circuit. Russian Sergey Zlobin was given his first opportunity to drive an F1 car. Zlobin, who is currently competing in Eropean F3000, shared the testing duties with the team's regular test driver, Mateto Bobbi.

Arrows is the only team not scheduled to test this week.