In the teams testing at Valencia and Barcelona Marc has spent his time testing the new P83 engine and his first impressions have been very favourable, despite having some initial problems with the engine.

In an interview for the BMW Motorsport web site Gene commented on his first impressions of the new engine by saying: "It's working quite okay. It still has some problems, which is normal for new engines. But it's better than I expected: Both on reliability and also on power. Well, I haven't looked on the power figures yet, but the power feeling is better than that of the BMW P82 engine. So it's looking good. It will be in Improvement on power for sure and might be also on reliability and also on weight dimensions, so it's a step forward."

Gene added: " I have done know seven days of testing since the testing-ban has ended, out of which six on the BMW P83 engine. And I know that it's a very important test. I'm happy because I know I'm the only driver who has already driven the new engine. And I know that they all are interested very much in my comment and the results."

As well as testing the new engine Marc has also been running with the new 2003 gearbox as well as other mechanical components that will eventually find their way into the new 2003 FW25. When questioned on the new car Marc said: "The car will be very different. It's still being designed. I was mostly running with a new gearbox and a new rear suspension. But the one I'm driving right now is different. But it's not the aerodynamic parts, just the mechanical parts. But I know that the car will be substantially different aerodynamically. Because the car of last year was good, but not as good as that of Ferrari, so we have to catch up."

Another focus that all the drivers in the recent tests have been involved in has been in the area of tyre testing for tyre supplier Michelin Marc added: "Juan has done most of the tyre testing. He told me that quite a few compounds and constructions were better than the best reference of last year. The lap time record of David Coulthard in Barcelona shows that Michelin is improving a lot, but I'm sure Bridgestone is too. But the tyres are meant to be more specific for every car, which is good."

As for his overall expectations for the 2003 season Marc did not commit himself apart from saying that the team will improve but as for challenging it will be a case of wait and see. Marc said: "The best result from a second place 2002 is a first place. But Ferrari was quite ahead last year. So I think: For sure we should win more races, I'm sure second place is at least the worst we should aim for and try to challenge Ferrari. But until we see the new cars on the track we cannot know if we can challenge them or not."

For Marc Gene he is well qualified to make judgements as to how he feels the team will perform come 2003, and based on his comments the initial indications are that the team will make improvements in all areas with the new FW25 but as for challenging Ferrari it is very much a waiting game.