Formula One News — January 2002

McLaren and Sauber continued testing in Barcelona on Tuesday, where McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz set a new track record behind the wheel of an interim MP4/16.

Eddie Jordan is always one for surprises but the team's decision to finish off the new car and go running with it without even announcing a launch date is both a good sign and a bad sign for the team.

The organizational mess on the Monte Carlo has created a rather alarming precedent in motor racing jurisprudence - a complicated enough business as it is.

Before he damaged his Ferrari in a heavy accident in Valencia last week, Rubens Barrichello gave his first press conference of the year at the annual Marlboro skiing event.

Rubens Barrichello was back behind the wheel for Ferrari on Monday for the first time since his spectacular crash on Saturday.

McLaren and Sauber began testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on Monday, where David Coulthard topped the time sheets ahead Nick Heidfeld and teammate Alexander Wurz.

The mystery deepens at Arrows. Jos Verstappen, who was signed by Arrows last summer, then mysteriously not confirmed by Arrows when they signed Enrique Bernoldi, told his fanclub that he will definitely be driving for the Leafield based team in 2002.

Former Formula 1 driver Ian Ashley has been released on bail after being arrested at London's Heathrow Airport, allegedly trying to carry offensive weapons onto a flight to Seattle.

Crime in Sao Paulo has become a very serious issue in recent weeks and the murder of one of the mayors of one of the communes close to the city on Sunday has once again brought home to Brazilians just how dangerous the city has become since the autumn.

A spokesperson for Prost Grand Prix has said that the team has no contract or written agreement with Heinz-Harald Frentzen to drive for them in 2002.

Jackie Stewart and the British Grand Prix lobby have given thanks to the local community for the support received in the Northamptonshire circuit's continued bid to retain its Formula 1 event.

The Jordan Honda EJ12 today successfully completed its first shakedown test, running on the South Circuit at Silverstone, with Takuma Sato at the wheel.

The McLaren team says that it is not expecting the coming season to be without a few crashes for new boy Kimi Raikkonen.

The one thing that Formula 1 does not need right now is cheating - or allegations that cheating is going on. Both are as damaging as the other.

Michael Schumacher topped the time sheets again in Valencia on Sunday.

The mayor of Sao Paulo Mayor Marta Suplicy has told Globo TV that the city has now reached "the limit of tolerance" because of a new wave of violent crimes and kidnappings.

David Richards may take a leaf out of Bernie Ecclestone's book and sign a 100-year deal for the TV rights to the World Rally Championship.

In a dramatic ceremony in Kuala Lumpur Sunday, complete with base jumpers and fireworks, Minardi unveiled its new "Go KL" emblem that will adorn the Minardis' sidepods and engine covers during the coming season.

Ryo Fukuda had his first taste of a BAR-Honda on Saturday in Valencia.

Testing resumed in Valencia on Saturday, and Rubens Barrichello provided some drama when he lost control of his Ferrari and crashed spectacularly.

McLaren Chairman Ron Dennis has predicted that the next two seasons will be tough commercially for the F1 business and there could be a painful squeeze which will make it hard for some teams to survive.

David Coulthard positively radiated a glow of renewed confidence at the launch of the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4/17 and is confident that he will challenge for the World Championship.

The mood was distinctly upbeat and cautiously optimistic at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya today (Saturday) when the striking new McLaren-Mercedes MP4/17 was officially unveiled.

Steve Clark, a engineer with over 10 years experience with a variety of different teams in Formula 1 and in CART, has joined McLaren to take up a new role as a leading test team engineer.

The financial problems which have hit Prost Grand Prix and which appear to be threatening one or two other F1 teams have revived debates about whether the financial system of the sport should be changed to help the smaller teams survive.