news:  Formula 1

After months of speculation that Ferrari's 2002 title challenger would not be ready in time for the first few races, Michael Schumacher, indicates that the radical new car is well on schedule to line up on the grid in Australia

The newly renamed KL Minardi Asiatech team will test three promising young drivers at the first official F1 Barcelona test session in the early new year. Antonio Garcia, winner of the 2000 Nissan series, along with 2001 winner, frenchman Frank Montagny and Italian Matteo Bobby will all get the chance to try out a Minardi. Meanwhile rumour continues to link Jos Verstappen with the vacant seat.

Minardi announce that the team is to be renamed K L Minardi Asiatech for the 2002 season. The change is part of a program which strengthens Minardi's ties with Malaysia, and the "KL" standing for "Kuala Lumpur" bids to promote the city on the world stage.

The team also announce that Malaysian driver Alex Yoong, after competing in the final three races this year for Minardi will have a full program for the coming season.

A driving school will be set up at the Sepang circuit in a bid to identify and nurture young Malaysian driving talent and establish a staircase towards Formula 1. The whole deal received the blessing and active backing of Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahithir Mohamad who met up with Minardi team boss Paul Stoddard prior to the announcement.

No word is still available on the identity of Minardi's other driver for 2002. Stoddard has admitted to his desire to sign currently available drivers Jos Verstappen and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, but with the second Arrows seat not yet filled and the future of the Prost team still in the balance, Minardi will have to wait if they wish to pursue either of these drivers. Australian F3000 racer Mark Webber is also persistently linked with the team.

Disaster struck the Ferrari Fx/F-140 during its first track test at Fiorano, the car catching fire and being completely destroyed.

The two seat Formula One car has a 6-litre V12 engine developing 655bhp. It is believed that Ferrari will be manufacturing and selling a limited number of the cars during 2002.

Ferrari announce that former Jaguar and Prost driver, Luciano Burti, will be joining Luca Badoer as the teams second test driver next year.

Michael Schumacher runs a faultless race to round his record breaking season off with a comfortable win, Barichello meanwhile comes in fifth after a poor pitstop strategy which with Coulthard finishing third is not enough to see him into second in the championship

at the green light Schumacher leads away while Barichello, running a lighter fuel load passes Mika Hakkinen for third on the first lap, a few laps later he passes Montoya for second, immediately Montoya re-passes him, and as his Michelins start to improve once worn Barichello is unable to make any inroads; meanwhile Michael builds up an 8.5 second lead

with his light fuel load, Barichello makes an early 7.2 second stop, quickly followed by Michael who resumes in fourth place between the McLarens, and try as he might he is unable to wrest third away from Hakkinen until the McLaren driver comes in for his pitstop and Michael resumes the lead

Michael dominates up to and after the second round of pitstop, Montoya constantly harrying the Ferrari, but Schumacher always has everything under control

during his second pitstop, Barichello is passed by Ralf Schumacher in the pit line, and a late 12 second pitstop drops him to an eventual fifth place

Minardi meanwhile had an excellent afternoon, Fernando Alonso, backed up a strong grid position to run strongly to 11th place after a two stop strategy in the PS01B chassis and Alex Yoong finished his first Grand Prix ( in his 3rd start ) in 16th place, after overcoming back cramps he had suffered all weekend

result:
1st Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari F2001 )  1:27.33.298
5th Rubens Baririchello ( Ferrari F2001 )  +36.544
11th Fernando Alonso ( Minardi PS01B )  +1 lap
16th Alex Yoong ( Minardi PS01B )  +3 laps

championship points standings ( final positions ):
drivers:
1st Michael Schumacher 123pts, 2nd David Coulthard 65pts, 3rd Rubens Barrichello 56pts
contructors:
1st Ferrari 179pts, 2nd McLaren 102pts
 

Rubens Barichello meanwhile, unable to dial out understeer on his car, lined up in fourth place, behind the two Williams-BMW's

Fernando Alonso had an excellent practice session to line the Minardi up in 18th place, while Alex Yoong ran solidly to last on the grid

Minardi strengthen their operation for 2002 by announcing that Dr John Davis ( who has come from Arrows, and previously had stints at Lotus, Ligier, Jordan and Pi Research ) will head up a UK-based technical research facility at Ledbury, including a severn point rig, full cad-cam and later in 2002 a 50% wind tunnel

they also announce a technical tie up with Nasdaq-listed company 3D Systems of California, who will provide major technical imput, and whos logos will appear on the Minardi's with immediate effect

rumour has it that Ferrari and Italian helecopter manufacturer Augusta are constructing an all titanium gearbox for use in Formula 1 next year to replace the current gearbox which uses a mix of titanium and carbonfibre materials. The titanium box is believe to be around 20% lighter, 20% smaller and about 10% stronger. Italian team Minardi have used a titanium gearbox recently with reasonable initial results

Michael Schumacher led away from pole while Rubens Barichello, running a light fuel load passed Ralf Schumacher before the first bend and within a couple of laps had moved past Montoya and Hakkinen into second place, closing up on team mate Michael who moved over to let him into the lead

from then on, Michael Schumacher had a steady run into a eventual second place, 11 seconds behind eventual winner, Mika Hakkinen, while Rubens struggled all race for supremacy with Mika Hakkinen, eventually retiring two laps from the end with engine failure, while just over two seconds behind

after a strong qualifying session, Fernando Alonso retired on lap 36 with a broken driveshaft, while Alex Yoong lasted two more laps after struggling for some time with gear selection difficulties

Barichello's non-finish leaves him still third in the championship, but now severn points adrift of Coulthard with on race remaining

result:
2nd Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari F2001 )  1:32.53.886

championship points standings:
drivers:
1st Michael Schumacher  113pts, 3rd Rubens Barichello  54pts
constructors:
1st Ferrari  167pts

further back, Fernando Alonso, has an excellent session to line his Minardi up in 17th place, while Alex Yoong has a steady run to bring up the tail of the field

grid:
1st Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari F2001 )  1:11.708
5th Rubens Barichello ( Ferrari F2001)  1:12.327
17th Fernando Alonso ( Minardi PS01 )  1:13.991
22nd Alex Yoong ( Minardi PS01 )  1:15.247
 

the Ferraris turn out for the first practice sessions displaying a US flag on each of the wind deflectors in front of the side pods as a further mark of respect to the New York hijacking victims, following on from Monza where they ran with black nosecones
 
 

Ferrari refuse to rule out rumours circulating that they might use a clutchless car in next years Grands Prix

speculation abounds that Minardi are to link up with Malaysian car manufacturer Proton. Minardi boss Paul Stoddart says "We went on a visit to the Proton factory, had an interesting tour, and then the next day the press has us receiving Proton engines!"

he also confirms that Minardi are to expand in 2002 to include a dedicated testing team
 
 
 

as rumours abound that Michael Schumacher feels it "inappropriate" to complete in the US GP in two weeks time he issues a statement saying he has "no plans at present" not to compete. Ferrari say they would not pressure him to compete if he feels strongly enough to withdraw but that they will take part. However Bernie Ecclestone warns that not turning up could cost him the world championship

after a race held under a sombre cloud, a botched pit stop cost Rubens Barichello any chance victory in the Italian Grand prix at Monza

the Ferrari's, running with black nosecones and without sponsors names as a mark of respect to the New York victims, lined up on the Grid behind Juan Pablo Montoya's Williams-BMW, with Barichello in second outqualifying his team-mate for the first time this year

Montoya lead into the first bend, but with Ferrari on a two stop strategy to Williams' one, Barichello soon passed Montoya who's Bridgestone tyres were wearing out quickly and built up a good lead

however a refuelling rig problem at the first round of pit stops for Barichello resulted in a 16.3 second stop and the Williams' retaking the lead on the track

later in the race after his second stop, Barichello found the pace to pass Ralf Schumacher to move into second place, however rapidly closing the gap was not enough to deny Montoya his first Grand Prix victory and Rubens finished just under six seconds back

Michael Schumacher had an unusually quite afternoon unable to pass brother Ralf early on and finished in a distant fourth place. Victory celebrations were muted with no champagne being sprayed and a minutes silence observed on the podium

making his Grand Prix debut in the Minardi, young Malasian driver Alex Yoong had a steady afternoon at the back of the field, before spinning off into a gravel trap a few laps from the end, joining team mate Fernando Alonso who had retired earlier in the afternoon

David Coulthard's early demise with engine failure resulted in Rubens Barichello closing the championship points gap, still in third place, but now only three points behind Coulthard

qualifying:
2nd Rubens Barrichello ( Ferrari )  1:22.216
3rd Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari )  1:22.518
21st Fernando Alonso ( Minardi )  1:26.218
22nd Alex Yoong ( Minardi )  1:27.463

result:
2nd Rubens Barrichello ( Ferrari )  +5.1
4th Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari )  +24.9
12th Fernando Alonso ( Minardi )  +2 laps

championship standings:
1st Michael Schumacher  104pts ( champion )
3rd Rubens Barrichello 54pts
constructors:
1st Ferrari  161pts ( champions )

next race: United States Grand Prix ( Indianapolis )  30th September 2001

Alex Yoong will make his Formula 1 debut for Minardi at the Italian Grand Prix on 16th September and in the process become Malaysia's first ever Grand Prix driver

the 25 year old was granted a Super Licence by the FIA after a successfull two day test a Mugello last Thursday and Friday, replacing Brazilian Tarso Marques for the final three races

Yoong said in a press statement "I'm very happy that the FIA has seen fit to grant me a superlicence, not especially for myself, but for my country," said Yoong in a statement released by the team. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of Formula One because it is the pinnacle of motorsport and the place where every racing driver wants to compete. To be the first Malaysian driver in Formula One and to represent my country in the world championship is going to be a thrill and honour beyond words. I can't wait to get into the car for my first grand prix."

Team owner, Paul stoddard, paid tribute to the Malaysian Government's efforts to secure Yoong's Formula 1 entry and announced that Minardi would be setting up a driving academy in Malaysia. Yoong also brings much needed sponsorship from gaming company Magnum, who in July announced they would back his path into Formula 1

Marques will remain with the team as test & reserve driver

Ferrari, BAR-Honda, Jordan-Honda and Minardi undertake private two day test session at the Mugello race circuit.

Thursday sees Rubens Barichello set fastest time of 1m 26.550secs ahead of BAR test driver Sato Takuma in 1m 26.580secs, while Friday sees Michael Shumacher take over to set a fastest time of 1m 24.226secs, 1.3 seconds faster than Oliver Panis in the BAR ( 1m 25.686secs )

Fernando Alonso, test driver Andrea Piccini and Alex Yoong all test in the Minardi. Piccini and Yoong test on the Wednesday, with Alonso coming in on the second day.

Testing Times:
Wednesday 5th September:
1st Rubens Barichello ( Ferrari )  1:26.550
5th Andrea Piccini ( Minardi )  1:29.210
6th Alex Yoong ( Minardi )  1:31.040
Thursday 6th September:
1st Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari )  1:24.226
3rd Fernando Alonso ( Minardi )  1:25.687

Michael Schumacher entered the record books for the second weekend running after breaking Alain Prost's all time record of 51 wins, notching up his 52nd win ( out of 159 Grand Prix starts, ten years after making his debut at this circuit, his favourite race, for Jordan in 1991 ) after an exciting and even filled Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps

with drama unfolding around him Michael drove a flawless race to victory, admitting his only moment of drama coming when he ran wide while adjusting the performance of his car from the cockpit

in the championship, fifth place for Rubens Barichello leaves him still in third, but now nine points behind David Coultard and four points ahead of Ralf Schumacher with three races left to run

qualifying:
3rd Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari )  1:54.685
5th Rubens Barichello ( Ferrari )  1:56.116
20th Fernando Alonso ( Minardi )  2:02.594
22nd Tarso Marques ( Minardi )  2:04.204

result:
1st Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari F201 )  1:08.05.002
5th Rubens Barichello ( Ferrari F201 )  +54.521
13th Tarso Marques ( Minardi )  +4 laps

championship points standings:
drivers:
1st Michael Schumacher  104pts  ( champion )
3rd Rubens Baricello  48pts
constructors:
1st Ferrari  152pts  ( champions )

next race: Italian Grand Prix  ( Monza )  16th September 2001

Michael Schumacher set fastest time in testing at Mugello, despite a major crash which ended his afternoon early. Suffering mechanical failure, he went off prior to the first turn at high speed, writing off the car and will not test in the final day tomorow, Friday

he finished the day 8/10ths of a second faster than Jarno trulli ( Jordan ) who was concentrating on testing new aerodynamic changes

Alex Yoong, put more laps in with Minardi, however a loose seat prevented him from setting a representative time, and he finished the day significantly off the pace

the Hungarian Grand Prix sees Michael Schumacher wrap up the FIA Formula 1 World Driver's Championship of 2001. It makes it two back to back titles at Ferrrari, and his fourth altogether ( the first being with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 ).

Michael Schumacher was emotional after winning the race:. "I was talking to the team and also trying to find the right words. I'm not a bad racing driver but not so good at finding the right words at the right time

"It's been a beautiful weekend. We got pole, the win, I equalised Alain Prosts 51 wins and fourth title. It's a bit too much for me right now to take it in. It's a great achievement but the way it has been done is what makes me feel so fantastic. You can't believe how good the guys are, I really love all of them. It's their achievement.

"They are so fantastic, they are so human, they work so hard, it's lovely to work with them. They are so very special. This team is simply the best. There will be a lot of singing tonight."

He mentioned that he had been speaking to Alain Prost on Saturday about his fourth title. "We met in the motorhome and he said 'Please, win that race. I'm so bored by that question all the time. You'll have to win another one too otherwise it will keep going'. I admire what you have done and obviously feel happy for myself."

qualifying:
1st Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari )  1:14.059
3rd Rubens Barrichello (  Ferrari )  1:14.953
18th Fernando Alonso ( Minardi PS01 )  1:17.624
22nd Tarso Marques ( Minardi PS01 )  1:19.139

result:
1st Michael Schumacher ( Ferrari )  1:41:49.7
2nd Rubens Barrichello ( Ferrari )  +3.3

European Minardi test their revised car, the PS01B at Fiorano in the hands of 22 year old team test driver Andrea Piccini. Featuring gearbox and aerodynamic revisions, the test at Ferrari's private test track, follows at recent test at Monza which highlighted some minor problems with the reliability of some of the revisions, which Minardi hope are now addressed

if all goes well, Minardi will run at least one chassis at the Hungarian Grand Prix

the test also gives Andrea Piccini, who competes in F3000 ( who qualified fourth at the last round in Germany ) the opportunity to enlarge his F1 experience,having impresses Minardi with his feedback while testing for them at Mugello last month