FEBRUARY 9, 2002

Testing winds down in Valencia

WILLIAMS and BAR returned to the Ricardo Tormo circuit on Saturday, while Arrows decided to sort out their rear wing problem rather than continue their testing program as scheduled.

Jacques Villeneuve set the fastest lap out of the five drivers conducting preseason tests in Valencia. "The car's a lot more fun to drive than last year's. There's still more work to do but at least it's getting better," said the Canadian about the new BAR004.

Villeneuve was joined on track in Valencia by teammate Olivier Panis and team test driver Ryo Fukuda.

Williams tested with team drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan-Pablo Montoya again Saturday, both in new BMW powered F24s. Schumacher completed a 112 laps during development of the new car, and Montoya completed 63.

Both teams are scheduled to return to the circuit Sunday for the final day of their current testing sessions.

VALENCIA TEST - SATURDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2002

POS

DRIVER ENTRANT TIME

1.

JACQUES VILLENEUVE BAR-Honda 1:12.967

2.

RALF SCHUMACHER Williams-BMW 1:13.254

3.

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA Williams-BMW 1:13.441

4.

OLIVIER PANIS BAR-Honda 1:14.446

5.

RYO FUKUDA BAR-Honda 1:14.646