03.02.2004 LUCIANO BURTI IS DRAFTED BACK IN AS FERRARI'S TEST PROGRAM INTENSIFIES

Luciano Burti has returned to Ferrari to assist with testing duties during the course of the coming year. Burti, from Sao Paolo in Brazil, drove for Prost and then Jaguar in F1 during 2001, before switching to a full time test role with Ferrari the next year. Last year he left the team to pursue racing opportunities, but will now return on a part time basis.

Burti is highly rated by Ferrari, and is credited with providing strong technical input that helped to make the F2002 such a successful race winner. It is being strongly speculated that full time Ferrari tester Luca Badoer could be loaned out to Sauber for Friday morning testing to help with the Bridgestone tyre development program. A situation which would allow Burti to shoulder some of the burden.

Meanwhile Ferrari have completed day two of a three day test at Barcelona today in the company of Williams, McLaren, Renault, BAR, Toyota and Sauber. The test kicked off yesterday on a dry track at the 4.6km Catalunya Circuit, with Luca Badoer driving, switching between the two F2003-GA at his disposal.

The opening day’s technical program centred on tyre, electronics and engine testing. Badoer completed a total of 81 laps, the quickest being a 1:16.307, which was 2.435 seconds adrift of Jenson Button's fastest overall time in the new BAR-Honda.

Rubens Barrichello took to the track today, continuing with the tyre test programme begun yesterday. The Brazilian driver completed a total of 69 laps, with a best time of 1:15.770. Takumo Sato posted the fastest time of the day as BAR continued to set the pace, the Japanese driver's 1:13.797 being 1.982 ahead of Barichello.

Testing will continue at Barcelona tomorrow, again with Rubens Barrichello driving, while at the same time, Michael Schumacher will continue development work on the F2004 at Imola.