Team Sauber Petronas began its 2002 FIA Formula One World Championship campaign today at Spain's Circuit de Catalunya🐷, just outside Barcelona, the openingಌ day of a three-day test for the team at the circuit.

Nick🙈 Heidfeld and Felipe Massa both drove interim versions of the 2001 C20, pending the official launch of the 2002 C21 on January 25.

Heidfeld c💦overed 35 laps for the 10th fastest time of 1m 29.695s, Massa 24 laps for the 14th best time of 1m 31.316s. Both drivers also tested the HANS Head and Neck Support system.

Jacky Eeckelaert (🦩Head of Vehicle Engineering) said: "It feels good to be b♌ack at work at a race track after the winter months spent back at the factory."

"Unfortunately our running today was not helped by the changeable weat♕her which meant that our lap times were not indicative of our true performance."

Nick Heidfeld added: "Although the weather hasn't b♊een great, it feels good to be back in the car for the first time since Suzuka in October, 10 weeks ago. ꧅I had great fun with the car today, working on a variety of set-ups, and evaluating different damper settings this morning, aerodynamic and gearbox work this afternoon. All went well."

Felipe Massa concluded🐈: "Despite the weather I had a very positive day, which included a tyre test programme this afternoon."

Leading times (8th January):

1.David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 1m 20.816s 60 laps**
2. Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1m 21.273s 29 laps**
3. Pedro de la Rosa Jaguar-Cosworth 1m 23.123s 53 laps**
4. Anthony Davidson BAR-Honda# 1m 24.444s 24 laps*
5. Allan McNish Toyota 1m 26.108s 38 laps**
6. Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes 1m 28.553s 34 laps**
7. Luca Badoer Ferrari 1m 29.131s 52 laps*
8. Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1m 29.196s 54 laps**
9. Luciano Burti Ferrari 1m 29.624s 62 laps*

10. Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas 1m 29.695s 35 laps*

11. Marc Gen? Williams-BMW 1m 29.729s 49 laps**
12. Jarno Trulli Renault 1m 30.010s 49 laps**
13. Olivier Panis BAR-Honda# 1m 30.036s 32 laps*

14. Felipe Massa Sauber-Petronas 1m 31.316s 24 laps*

15. Jenson Button Renault 1m 32.005s 10 laps**
16. Eddie Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth 1m 32.904s 23 laps**

Key:
* Bridgestone tyres
** Michelin tyres
# 2002 spec car

Weather / Track Conditions: Rain then cloudy.