Minardi launch: Team ready for 2002

The Anglo-Italian outfit launched its 2002 Formula 1 campaign in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this morning (Friday). Team boss Paul Stoddart has won significant backing from the Malaysian government for this year and has taken on the country's best-known current racing driver Alex Yoong, who will be teamed with Australian rookie Mark Webber.

Minardi's technical director Gabriele Tredozi believes that all the elements are in place for Minardi to pull itself up from the bottom of the F1 grid. "We are very pleased with the way the new car has come together," he said. "We are benefiting in particular from the fact that we have had ample 'lead-time' to work on the whole package. For example, we understood well what areas of last season's car we wanted to improve, we have known for some time what engine we are using, and we have been able to put in many useful hours in the windtunnel developing the aerodynamic package for the PS02.

"As a result, we are far ahead of where we were at this time last year. Now, we an extensive pre-season testing programme planned as well, we believe we are well placed to make progress on the track this coming season."

The main visual differences on this year car include a higher nose section, a reshaped engine cover and higher sidepods with different inlets. There is a new, slimmer version of Minardi's unique titanium-cased gearbox, while the front suspension has been changed from a pullrod to a pushrod lay-out.

The car will be powered by Asiatech engines for the first time.