Test round up: Burti makes F2002 debut

Ferrari test driver Luciano Burti finally got his hands on one of the team's all-conquering F2002 cars at Fiorano last week. The Brazilian, who up until now had exclusively used an uprated F2001, managed 44 laps of testing in the latest car at the team's test track, setting a best time of 59.571s.
"The F2002 is incredible!" an excited Burti told his website. "I have no words to describe it and to drive it is a dream come true."

Luca Badoer also had the F2002 at his disposal and did 30 laps, recording a mark of 1m00.195s.


Toyota conducted its pre-British GP preparations at Paul Ricard in France. Test driver Stephane Sarrazin spent the first day performing aerodynamic assessments before handing over to Allan McNish for the final two days. The Scot showed no ill affects following his European GP shoulder injury, and ran 176 laps.

His best lap of 1m13.34s was just over two seconds quicker than Sarrazin managed.

"My shoulder is now back in perfect working condition after the European GP," said McNish. "We managed to complete many laps over the two days. We worked on aerodynamics and mechanical items, as well as some suspension and electronics work, which improved the overall handling of the car. It was generally a productive two days with everyone working hard in hot conditions."


Mugello in Italy was the venue chosen by BAR for its three-day test. The team used three drivers, with Anthony Davidson running all three days and Patrick Lemarie handing over to his countryman Jacques Villeneuve after the opening day.

The team had a wide range of testing programmes, but putting miles on the latest version of Honda's engine was a priority. Davidson managed 81 trouble-free laps on the first day, but mechanical and control system problems limited Villeneuve's running on day two.

The team also carried on brake, suspension and tyre work and was generally satisfied with the results it achieved. Villeneuve set a best time of 1m25.082s on the final day; Davidson also did his personal best of 1m25.234s on the same day, while Lemarie's quickest lap was 1m27.601s.