Team Sauber PETRONAS concluded their 2003 test program this week at the Jerez circuit in Spain and although rain dampened their efforts for the first two days of the four day test, good progress was still made.

Through testing this week at Jerez and two weeks ago in Barcelona, all three 2004 Sauber drivers have now had a chance to settle in with the team. Initial work in each session was spent adjusting the drivers' seats and working on personal car setups. Once that was complete, they were able to quickly get on with the testing programs.

The first three days of the Jerez test marked the return of Felipe Massa to the team. Massa debuted in F1 for Sauber in 2002 before taking a year off to test for Ferrari. His 2002 season was marred with accidents and DNFs, but the time spent with Ferrari has helped him mature as an F1 driver. "The Ferrari team has been for me an incredible university. To work with Michael and Rubens was very important," Massa told the Gazetta dello Sport. "My experience today isn't comparable to that from a year ago."

"Felipe had a good return to the team. He, of course, still knows the staff and the way we work, but also recognised that we made a big jump from the C21 to the C22 and its improvements. It felt as if he has never been away from Sauber-PETRONAS," remarked Jacky Eeckelaert, the team's race engineer, confirming Massa's improvement.

The technical knowledge he has gained at Ferrari will go a long way towards helping Sauber develop next year's car as the C23's overall design is expected to be very similar to the Ferrari. "My deep knowledge of Ferrari will be important (to Sauber). My advice will help the engineers to work in the right direction. At Hinwil, nobody wants to disappoint in the 2004 Championship," Massa said.

Sauber's young test driver, Neel Jani, took part in the final day of the test. Jani has had relatively little experience in the Sauber camp to date. His tests with the team last summer put his lap times several seconds behind Heidfeld and Frentzen, and his lower level of fitness saw him tire out after several dozen laps. Jani has worked hard on his fitness program since that time, and is now at the level expected of an F1 driver. He has also now gotten his lap times in the same range as Massa and Fisichella.

Commenting on Jani's improvement, Eeckelaert said, "... today I saw Neel being in much better shape. He even ran his fastest lap at the end of the day which proves his very good conditions. He ran a lot of laps and did a professional job. I am very happy with him."

For a small team like Sauber who do limited testing with only one car per session, a test driver may not seem vital to the team's success. But a new rule that could be approved for 2004 could see Jani become a valuable asset to the team. The bottom six teams in the constructors' championship will be allowed to run a third car and driver during the Friday practice sessions. However, this third driver must have participated in fewer than six Grand Prix's during the last two years. Jani fits this requirement perfectly. If he drives the third car on Friday, he will gain valuable experience on all the F1 circuits towards one day making his racing debut. Of course, should Sauber find themselves back among the top four teams, Jani would be unable to participate in the Friday sessions. It is still vital though to have him race ready, should he need to fill in for Fisichella or Massa.

Despite using the old C22 this week, the team tested many parts that are destined for the C23. The week's testing program evaluated new gearbox parts, brake materials, damper modifications, electronics and both dry and intermediate tyres for Bridgestone. The only mechanical problem of the week occured during Wednesday's dry session. A hydraulic leak which took an hour to fix set the team further behind on their schedule. Jani's 94 lap effort on Thursday caught the team back up and in the end they were able to complete the program as planned.

The team will now return to their Hinwil factory to put the finishing touches on the C23 before its launch on January 12, 2004 in Salzburg, Austria.

Meanwhile, 2003 Sauber drivers, Nick Heidfeld and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, are busy putting together their plans for next year. Heidfeld signed a preliminary contract with Jordan for next year, and participated in three days of testing with them last week in Jerez. Details of that contract are not known, but it is believed Heidfeld reduced his salary requirements in order to stay in F1. Eddie Jordan is believed to be looking for a driver who can bring money to his ailing team.

While Heidfeld is fighting to keep his F1 dream alive, Frentzen announced today that is finished with F1. This marks an end to his 10 year career in F1 which began with Sauber in 1994. He will move to the popular German Touring Car series (DTM), and a more detailed announcement is expected soon.