Yoong kicks off Minardi's 2002 test programme.

Alex Yoong exited the pit lane and blasted onto the Valencia circuit this morning, marking the start of the Minardi team's 2002 testing programme.

The Faenza squad is running two European-engined Minardi PS01B chassis throughout this scheduled four-day session, with Malaysia's first-ever Formula One driver joined today and tomorrow by Italian, Matteo Bobbi. The 23-year-old, from Milan, competed for Adrian Campos Motorsport last season in the Open Telefonica by Nissan Championship.

Yoong initially worked with the team's engineers to set up the handling of both cars and then reverted to chassis 01 for the balance of the day. Among the scheduled tasks being undertaken were traction control mapping and testing new suspension and gearbox components.

Bobbi spent the afternoon in chassis 02 familiarising himself with the performance of the car and carrying out a series of timed runs.

The Italian will continue testing alongside Yoong Wednesday morning and then hand over to another Open Telefonica by Nissan competitor in the afternoon, 21-year-old Antonio Garcia of Spain, enjoying his first Formula One test as the result of winning the 2000 series title. He drove in the International F3000 Championship last season.

Thursday and Friday will see Mark Webber and Christijan Albers handle the driving duties, as Yoong heads back to Kuala Lumpur for an important team sponsor announcement on Saturday evening.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart said: "KL Minardi Asiatech Team opened its testing for the 2002 season today at Valencia where we ran two cars. A little problem for one of them in the morning with the clutch was soon sorted out and Alex was able to record a quite respectable time considering that he did not know the circuit."

"Tomorrow Alex will be running through a simulated race, we are looking for reliability and we'll also test how much Alex's fitness program has improved over the winter. In addition to that Matteo Bobbi completed a useful test session and, considering it was his first time out in the car, he did an incredible job. He will certainly have a bright future."

Leading times (15th January) - Valencia:

1. David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 1m 13.353s 52 laps**
2. Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes 1m 13.510s 32 laps**
3. Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1m 14.193s 43 laps**
4. Jenson Button Renault 1m 14.539s 64 laps**
5. Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Honda 1m 14.596s 95 laps*
6. Jarno Trulli Renault 1m 14.778s 66 laps**
7. Antonio Pizzonia Williams-BMW 1m 14.946s 38 laps**
8. Takuma Sato Jordan-Honda 1m 15.810s 84 laps*
9. Pedro de la Rosa Jaguar-Cosworth# 1m 15.915s 46 laps**
10. Mika Salo Toyota# 1m 15.973s 51 laps**
11. Eddie Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth# 1m 16.760s 7 laps**

12. Alex Yoong Minardi-Asiatech 1m 19.312s 45 laps**
13. Matteo Bobbi Minardi-Asiatech 1m 21.068s 21 laps**

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

Weather / Track Conditions: Bright and sunny, clouding over in the afternoon.