21.02.2004 RAIN AND SNOW FORCE FERRARI TO ABANDON THIS WEEK'S F2004 TEST PROGRAM

Ferrari continued their build up to the opening Grand Prix in Melbourne on 7th March, with testing taking place on two fronts. Michael Schumacher continued development of the new F2004 at Mugello while Luca Badoer undertook tyre testing for Bridgestone at  the wheel of an F2003-GA at Imola.

Michael Schumacher again spearheaded development work on the F2004 as the team kicked the week's testing off at the 5.2km Mugello circuit on Tuesday. The defending World Champion completed a total of 66 laps, 4 on the short version of the track, with a quickest time of 1:19.864.

Wednesday continued dry and the German was able to complete 63 laps, his best lap a 1:19.060, eight tenth quicker than the previous day. However conditions deteriorated on Thursday, and with rain and snow flurries falling, Ferrari were forced to abandon testing after completing only a single setup lap during the morning.

Concurrently, Ferrari also tested at Imola this week, joining Renault, Sauber, Jordan and Minardi in the last major test before the new season starts. While Renault, Sauber and Jordan all took to the track on Tuesday, Ferrari joined the fray on Wednesday, with Luca Badoer starting a two day tyre development program for Bridgestone.

The opening day's session ended earlier than planned after Badoer suffered a heavy crash at the Variante Alta corner, from which he emerged unscathed. Up to that point, he had covered 58 laps, the quickest in a time of 1:21.412. As a precaution, following the accident, Badoer underwent checks to rule out any problem and confirm that he was fit to continue driving. Despite his early finish Badoer posted the third fastest time of the day, beaten only by Renault's Jarno Trulli who turned in a 1:21.243 lap, and Felipe Massa, who set a 1:21.281 in the Sauber.

The rain set in on Thursday as Badoer wrapped up the Bridgestone program. On a soaking he track completed a total of 55 laps, with a best time of 1:31.076. This lap stood as the fastest all day, Jarno Trulli in the new Renault coming closest, 0.262 seconds adrift.

Circuit: Autodromo del Mugello, 5.245 km - short course 2.760 km; Driver: Michael Schumacher; Car: F2004; Weather: 17/02: air temperature 4/14 °C, track temperature 5/21°C, sunny; 18/02: air temperature 3 °C, track temperature 4 °C, rain with snow flurries.

Circuit: “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” Circuit, 4.933 km; Driver: Luca Badoer; Car: F2003-GA; Weather: 18/02: air temperature 4/10 °C, track 5/14 °C. Cloudy; 19/02: air temperature 4/9/4 °C, track 5/10/5 °C. Rain in the morning then very cloudy.