05.02.2004 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER WRAPS UP TWO DAYS OF TESTING WITH THE NEW FERRARI F2004 AT IMOLA

As the new F1 season looms ever larger, Ferrari's development program is intensifying, with Michael Schumacher today completing a two day test at Imola with the new F2004. Launched a week last Monday, the new car took to the track for the first time over the weekend at the team's private facility, Fiorano, before the team moved on yesterday to Imola.

Michael Schumacher took to the track, home of the San Marino Grand Prix, yesterday to continue with development work on the new car. The German covering a total of 61 laps, the quickest in a time of 1:21.646.

At the same time, Ferrari were completing a three day test at the Catalunya Circuit near Barcelona. Rubens Barrichello and Luca Badoer, both at the wheel of last year's F2003-GA, wrapping matters up on track.

The final day’s programme consisted of a continuation of the tyre test program which had been running over the previous two days. At the end of the session, the two cars had completed a total of 159 laps, 84 for Barrichello and 75 for Badoer. The Brazilian posted the quicker time, his best a 1:15.063, while Badoer's fastest in 1:15.649 left him half a second adrift.

Today saw Ferrari's test program concentrating on a single front as Michael Schumacher continued with development work at Imola. Rounding off the two day session, Schumacher completed 25 laps in the F2004, the quickest in a time of 1:21.231.

Ferrari will resume testing in Spain, along with most of the other teams, next Tuesday at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, with Luca Badoer kicking matters off. Before that however Rubens Barrichello will have his first run in the new F2004 on Saturday at the Autodromo del Mugello.

Circuit: “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” Circuit, 4.933 km; Driver: Michael Schumacher; Car: F2004; Yesterday's weather: air temperature 4/12/11 °C, track 5/19/12 °C. Sunny. Today's weather: air temperature 13/14 °C, track 18/17 °C. Sunny.