Sauber test boosted by Raikkonen result.

Sauber completed its opening winter test programme at Jerez to be greeted by the news that its driver Kimi Raikkonen had been granted a superlicence to compete in Formula One next season.

The Finn, who had initially been denied the licence by the FIA, clocked the seventh best time of the day, prior to hearing the news, and trailed team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who was fourth quickest with a time of 1min 24.02secs. The testing was interrupted by heavy rain in the afternoon.

The morning session, which remained dry right through to the lunch break, was devoted to testing suspension components on the C19, but both drivers still recorded times inside the top six, with just McLaren, Ferrari and BAR ahead of Heidfeld. When the rain arrived, the programme switched to dealing with tyre work, but Sauber was still pleased with the ground that had been covered.

"We had a good test this week, despite less than pleasant weather which ultimately halted things prematurely today," revealed test team manager Jacky Eeckelaert, "This morning Nick and Kimi worked on the suspension, then switched to tyre and brake evaluation when it began to rain. Both had fresh engines for the afternoon, and one of the things we tried today were Brembo's lighter and stronger brake calipers.

"Overall, despite the weather, we completed our scheduled programmes, and we are very pleased with the way Kimi has been driving. It took him only ten laps before he was setting competitive times here. Nick has also settled in well with the team, and showed his potential with his quick times."

"I'm feeling very much at home here now," Heidfeld confirmed, "and I have particularly enjoyed the driveability of the C19. That bodes well for the 2001 season."

Raikkonen's performance was all the better for the pressure he was under to perform credibly. With the F1 Commission meeting in Monaco to discuss, amongst other things, whether or not to grant him a superlicence after just 23 races in the junior formulae, the Finn could have been forgiven for being distracted, but he kept his head down, and conducted himself in a manner which ultimately led to him being accepted into Formula One.

"Everything has gone so well these three days," Raikkonen said, "I learned a huge amount, more than I thought I would ever learn. With rain, without rain. After this tight track I am looking forward to Barcelona, though. I feel a little bit sore, but I am planning to do some more work with our physio, Josef Leberer, to maintain my fitness."

Both Raikkonen and Heidfeld will be present at the next test, which runs between 12-14 December at the Circuit de Catalunya.