13.02.2004 FERRARI CONCLUDE A BUSY WEEK OF TESTING ON TWO FRONTS

Ferrari have had a busy week as they build up to the new season, testing on two fronts. Michael Schumacher has been running a private test at Mugello with the new F2004, while Luca Badoer and Rubens Barrichello joined the rest of the F1 teams at Jerez.

After bedding in several new components on the F2004 at Fiorano on Tuesday afternoon, the team returned to Mugello, where Barrichello last week had his first run in the new car, to begin an intensive four day development test program.

Michael Schumacher covered 83 laps on the opening day, 4 of them on the short version of the track, with his best time being a 1:19.815. Yesterday the German driver covered 57 laps with 13 on the short version of the track, posting a quickest time of 1:19.674.

Today Schumacher wrapped up the test after covering 92 laps, 8 on the short version of the track, his best lap being a 1:18.902.

At the same time as Michael Schumacher was getting on track at Fiorano, Ferrari were joining McLaren, BAR, Renault, Jaguar, Sauber and Jordan the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in southern Spain. Luca Badoer kicked off duties, switching between the two F2003-GA at his disposal. The opening day’s technical programme centred on tyres and new components for the 2004 season. Badoer completed a total of 87 laps, his quickest being a 1:18.249.

Day two saw Badoer again at the wheel, the day’s technical programme continuing with the testing of tyres and new components. The Scuderia’s official test driver completed a total of 109 laps, the quickest being a 1:18.007.

Day three at Jerez yesterday saw Rubens Barrichello take over driving duties, still at the wheel of an F2003-GA. The Brazilian continued the program initiated over the preceeding two days by Luca Badoer and with track conditions steadily improving, times started to tumble. He completed a total of 99 laps during the course of the day, the quickest being a 1’17”634.

Once again today, Rubens Barrichello took to the track, completing a total of 83 laps, the quickest being a 1:18.290 before the team packed up to return to Italy.

Ferrari's test program resumes on Tuesday at Imola with Michael Schumacher at the wheel of an F2004.

Circuit: Autodromo del Mugello, 5.245 km - short course 2.760 km; Driver: Michael Schumacher; Car: F2004; Weather: 11/02: air temperature 7/10 °C, track temperature 7/11 °C; cloudy; 12/02: air temperature 6/13 °C, track temperature 9/17 °C, sunny. 13/2: air temperature 4/10 °C, track temperature 7/17 °C, sunny.

Circuit: Jerez circuit, 4.428 km; Drivers: Rubens Barrichello, Luca Badoer; Car: F2003-GA; Weather: 10/02: air temperature 10/18°C, track temperature 11/22°C; cloudy. 11/02: air temperature 9/21 °C, track temperature 10/28 °C; clear skies. 12/02: air temperature 7/21°C, track temperature 9/27°C. sunny. 13/2: air temperature 9/20°C, track temperature 10/28°C. sunny.