Felipe Massa again demonstrated the potentials of the new Michelin tires when he headed the laptimes in day 2 of a three-day Barcelona test for Team SAUBER PETRONAS at Circuit de Catalunya yesterday.

Aiming for a comprehensive brake and aerodynamic test to match their car and its new boots, Massa altogether covered 68 laps around the 4.627km track setting a best time of 1:14.655s. The improvements were simply mind-blowing.

“I was surprised how quick we were able to adjust the car to the new tyres,” confesses Massa. “We only made rather small changes - the balance of the car as well as the performance were good straightaway. We now have a solid basis on which we can build.”

Team Principal Peter Sauber who was on hand yesterday at Barcelona said, “After the first two test days with Michelin tyres we are happy that the change to Michelin went without a problem. We mainly concentrated on gathering many data and adjusting the set-up of the C23 to the requirements of the new tyres.

“Based on this knowledge we can say that the car and the tyres fit together very well, which is anything but natural. We are convinced that the new C24 will profit from this combination. The lap times impressively demonstrate this,” Peter Sauber added.

Jacques Villeneuve will take over the driving duties tomorrow for his first test with his new team.