Monday January 15th, 2001
The Jordan and Prost Grand Prix teams are expected to test their new 2001 cars today at Silverstone and Magny Cours respectively.
Jordan, who is set to unveil their 2001 challenger on Tuesday, is to run a secret test at the British track, where they will shake down the new EJ11 for the first time.
Also behind closed doors, the Prost team is to test the Ferrari-powered AP04, with veteran Jean Alesi at the wheel.
The aim of the test is to check that all the systems work properly in the car that the team hope will allow them a better season than last year's.
Meanwhile, French newspaper L'Equipe reports that new Prost recruit Gaston Mazzacane will start the season under a performance clause for the first three Grand Prix.
The clause is thought to have been added in order to allow the team to dismiss Mazzacane in case he underperforms.
If the Argentinean driver fails to impress team boss Alain Prost, he could be replaced by the team's test driver Stephane Sarrazin while Prost tries to sign Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, who was a hot favourite for the second seat for some time.