29.09.2004 Maserati sportscar driver Andrea Bertolini got behind the wheel of a Ferrari F2004 at Fiorano as the Scuderia opened testing on two fronts

At Ferrari’s private test track Fiorano yesterday, Maserati Corse development driver Andrea Bertolini took to the wheel of a Ferrari F2004.

The Italian, who along with Mika Salo, won the last round of the FIA GT Championship at Oschersleben in the new Maserati MC12, worked on an electronics programme in the F1 machine, completing a total of 77 laps, 30 of them on the short version of the track. His best time was a 58.085.

At the same time Luca Badoer was in action at Jerez, working on a Bridgestone tyre development programme as well as testing new components.

Unfortunately, the test came to a premature end because of an off-track excursion caused by a mechanical problem with the rear end of the car.

'Fortunately, the driver emerged unscathed from the car. Up to that point, a total of 18 laps had been completed, with a best time of 1:19.800.

Today’s testing will again continue on two fronts with Bertolini on track at Fiorano and Badoer at Jerez. Meanwhile Michael Schumacher, who will join the test programme tomorrow, was reflecting on the Chinese Grand Prix.

‘It is important to be able to see the positive side of everything’, stated the seven time world champion. ‘And in my situation with the championship already sewn up it makes little sense to dwell on the race.

'The were a lot of positives from Sunday: Ferrari won the first Chinese GP and this will pass into history. Rubens won a fantastic race (and I celebrated on Sunday with him) and our fans were able to share our joy. Naturally, I would have liked to have left my mark on this race by winning it, but it was not to be.

'Maybe laughing about it would be too much but I repeat that all the bad luck happened at once…I should have exhausted these unlucky moments all at once, at least I hope I have! I hope to have less excitement and more success over the last two races of the season!’

Circuit: Jerez – 4.428 km Driver: Luca Badoer Car: F2004 Weather: air temperature 23/33 °C, track temperature 25/47 °C; sunny. Circuit: Fiorano track, 2.976 km – short course 1.413 km Driver: Andrea Bertolini Car: F2004 Weather: air temperature 18/23/20 °C, track temperature 20/29/25 °C; clear skies.