Massa and Raikkonen will shine in 2002

Former Formula One driver Jean Alesi has tipped the young stars in F1 to shine in 2002 and make a big impact. Speaking at Tuesday's nights Grand Prix party where he won a ‘Bernie' for his contribution to F1, Alesi singled out Sauber's newest signing Felipe Massa and McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen as the two youngsters he feels will excel this season.

Although Massa has yet to compete in his first grand prix he has demonstrated his potential during pre-season testing and is already being tipped as a star of the future. Raikkonen, meanwhile, will be entering his second year having debuted in 2001 with Sauber, and too has demonstrated his pace during recent testing with McLaren. Yesterday the young Finn set a new lap record for the Valencia circuit, in a time of 1:10.937.

Surprisingly enough Alesi did not mention Japanese driver Takuma Sato who replaced him at Jordan and effectively brought his F1 career to an end because when he joined Jordan Alesi said that he would only remain in the sport if he continued at Jordan. However team boss Eddie Jordan opted to go with the youngster and Alesi said goodbye to his fans at the season ending Japanese Grand Prix.

ITV quoted Alesi as having said: "The younger drivers have more of a chance to impress as no one expects anything from them. I think for Sauber Felipe Massa is a good young driver. I think he can have a very good season. Raikkonen will impress as well. He's been good in testing."