05.03.2004 FERRARI SWEEP THE TIMESHEETS IN THE OPENING FREE PRACTICE SESSIONS IN MELBOURNE AS THE GP SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s 2004 campaign got off to a positive start this morning, with Michael Schumacher topping the time sheet at the end of the first one hour of free practice. The German lapped Albert Park in a time of 1.25.127. Rubens Barrichello was right behind him in 1.25.361. The Scuderia pairing was considerably quicker (by 1.898 seconds) than third placed Jarno Trulli in the Renault (1.27.025).

McLaren-Mercedes’ only representative in the top six was David Coulthard with a time of 1.27.264. Fernando Alonso ensured that Renault and Ferrari were the only teams to get both cars in the top six with a time of 1.27.359. Rounding off the top six was the BMW-Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya (1.27.462.)

Schumacher and Barrichello worked on car set-up and initial investigation of the right tyre choice. As expected, one result of the new one engine per driver per weekend rule was that all drivers did far fewer laps than in past years: Michael completed just four, while Rubens did 9. The fact that this track is only used once a year means that even less laps were completed as the surface is still 'green,' offering little grip and covered with a layer of dust.

The second free practice session which kicked off at 2pm saw the Ferrari duo again dominate the timesheets as the lap times began to fall. Michael Schumacher posted a 1:24.718 during his 15 laps, which team mate Rubens Barrichello who covered an additional 7 laps was a tenth adrift with a 1:24.826. Jarno Trulli's Renault (1:25.757) was again best of the rest, but over a second back. Jenson Button (1:25.786),  the second Renault of Fernando Alsonso (1:25.853) and Ralf Schumacher (1:25.882) completed the top six.

Jean Todt: 'Today marked the start of the longest ever championship in history, with 18 races on the calendar. The new regulations have changed the Friday timetable, which is now almost exclusively dedicated to evaluating the two type of tyre available, while taking into account that the engine used today has to last all the way to the end of Sunday’s race. It is always pleasing to see two Bridgestone-shod Ferraris consistently out in front of the field, but we are well aware that today’s result is not so significant. The serious business comes tomorrow in qualifying and we are mindful of how important it will be for the race to be able to start from the front of the grid.'

Michael Schumacher: 'I am happy with the performance of the car which has matched our expectations after winter testing. But we should not read too much into the lap times, as it is too early to say if this is a true picture of the order among the teams: in fact, I doubt that it is. Today, we worked mainly on adapting the car’s set-up for this circuit. I went off the track three times during the course of the day, which was mainly due to the wind, which was strong and not consistent and it can catch you out in terms of judging your braking point.'

Rubens Barrichello: 'I am very happy with the car. We still have some more work to do on the set-up, but the car shows great potential. So I think there is more to come from it this weekend, which is encouraging. The car is still quite new for me, as I only got one and a half days running in it in dry conditions, so I am still learning. We went through our normal work schedule for a first day of free practice, keeping in mind the new rule regarding engines. We must not read too much into today’s result, but it is a good way to start the season.'

Ross Brawn : 'It was an eventful session, given that Michael went off the track this afternoon. The boys did a great job to get him out on track again towards the end. This year, we have to have made our tyre choice by Friday evening and we have enough information now to make that choice, even though this morning the track was quite “green.” The tyre looks good and consistent and the car seems to be going okay.'

Free practice - First session: Michael Schumacher: 1st 1.25.127 4 laps chassis 234, Rubens Barrichello: 2nd 1.25.361 9 laps chassis 236, Temperatures: air 20/21 °C, track 25 °C

Free practice - Second session: Michael Schumacher: 1st 1.24.718 15 laps chassis 234, Rubens Barrichello: 2nd 1.24.826 22 laps chassis 236, Temperatures: air 21 °C, track 32/33 °C