Formula 1 testing kicks off 2002

With no cars having turned a wheel in anger since the final race of the season at Suzuka last October, teams are keen to get the ball rolling on development for 2002 and make up for almost three months of downtime. The first test of the year begins in Spain on Monday, although only Jaguar, British American Racing and Toyota will run their new cars.

McLaren-Mercedes has its work cut out to catch rival Ferrari this year and is leading by example with a five-day schedule from Monday to Friday next week. Race drivers David Coulthard and McLaren newboy Kimi Raikkonnen will be in action along with test driver Alex Wurz.

Ferrari, meanwhile is expected to follow tradition and begin its testing in isolation at Fiorano, before running with other teams nearer to the first race.

Formula 1 rookie Takuma Sato will be make his maiden outing with his new team Jordan, while Giancarlo Fisichella will also get behind the wheel of a yellow machine as he returns to the Silverstone-based outfit after a three-year sojourn at Benetton.

Benetton will take to the track for the first time as Renault with new driver Jarno Trulli lining up alongside Jenson Button.

Jaguar Racing is set to run its latest offering, the R3, on Tuesday after running an interim chassis the day before. The team's new car is to be launched at its Milton Keynes base on Friday.

F1 newcomer Toyota is also expected to attend the test at the Circuit de Catalunya with its TF102, which was unveiled in Germany before Christmas. After a year of testing behind closed doors, all eyes will be on the Japanese marque as it goes head to head with its new rivals.

With little over two months to the opening race of the season in Australia teams will be flat out in the development race in the run up to the new season. Autosport.com will be on hand with news, quotes and times from all the testing action.