Testing continued in January, with the suspension undergoing a few more mechanical changes. "We have planned an intensive testing programme on different Italian tracks, because we wish to arrive at the first meeting of the season with the best chances of defending our position at the top," designer Sergio Limone said. 

Unlike BMW, Alfa Romeo is not homologating a new car for the 2003 season, but only two or three new technical features. "At the moment we have decided to homologate a new aerodynamic package and, obviously, the sequential gearbox," Limone revealed. But the Alfa 156 Gta is also undergoing a substantial revision of its suspension. While BMW decided to stick with the five-speed H-pattern gearbox and benefit from a 30-kg reduction in the car’s minimum weight, Alfa Romeo will use the sequential gearbox option now offered by the FIA Super 2000 rules. 

"We believe this is the best way to go. It will help us to improve our performances a little, thanks to new and shorter gear ratios. But it will also significantly improve the cars’ reliability and the drivers’ confidence, reducing the chances of making mistakes while shifting gears." Alfa Romeo tested again earlier this week in Magione and will return to Vallelunga in February. 

"I´m happy with the test in Magione, because we had a further suspension step on the car and it worked really well. We are still half way towards the 2003 car, but lap times and long runs are already very good," said Nicola Larini who clocked his best lap time in Magione at 1:17.1, only one-tenth of a second faster than Fabrizio Giovanardi in the Ravaglia Motorsport BMW 320i, still in 2002 specs. Roberto Colciago, who drove the Alfa before Larini, couldn’t do any better than 1:17.5 due to a drying track.