JANUARY 12, 2001

Sauber conclude successful testing session

SAUBER completed a successful second day of testing at the Fiorano circuit in Italy Thursday as the Swiss team's new driver Kimi Raikkonen got his first taste of the new C20 car.

SAUBER completed a successful second day of testing at the Fiorano circuit in Italy Thursday as the Swiss team's new driver Kimi Raikkonen got his first taste of the new C20 car.

Raikkonen completed a few installation laps in Sauber's C20 after his team-mate Nick Heidfeld ran for 64 laps in the new car in the morning.

Heidfeld tested the basic systems on the C20 and did not record a lap time as Sauber's technical director Willy Rampf focused on preparing the car inside the FIA regulations ahead of the start of the season in Australia in March.

Rampf said: "Our primary aim with the C20 has been to meet the stringent new regulation.

"The new weight-bearing requirement for the rollover hoop structure, and the new side intrusion resistance demands, are very tough and have necessitated a new monocoque chassis.

"We have also focused on the new aerodynamic rules governing the design and placement of the front and rear wing. Weight reduction is also one of our priorities. It is fair to say that the car is a completely new development."

Sauber are continuing their testing program in Jerez, Spain on January 15th to 17th with the team then moving on to Barcelona on January 25-28, a day after the launch of the C20 at the team's headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland.