Scuderia Ferrari will line up with the F2005 for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which takes place at the Sakhir circuit on 3rd April. The decision was taken this morning in Maranello, after analysing data from the last three days of testing at Mugello.

“In the next race we will be running with the new car,” commented Ferrari Managing Director Jean Todt. “The Mugello test, which saw both race drivers try the F2005 for the first time, confirmed its potential. We will have two F2005, one for each driver, while the for the spare, we will use one of the F2004 M used in Australia and Malaysia.

"The contrasting results of the first two races gave us a positive incentive. Along with Bridgestone, we decided to accelerate the development programme and we believe that the combination of various new elements – car and tyre – will allow us to move back on the attack after two Grands Prix on the defensive.

"I have to say I am very happy with the way the team and all our partners have reacted to try and quickly return to our true level of competitiveness.”
 

Michael Schumacher also expressed his satisfaction at the decision taken by the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro to field the F2005 in Bahrain. "I can only be happy about the decision to use the new car already at the next race. Already yesterday at my first test with it it gave me a good feeling."

The German had his first contact with the F2005 at the Mugello circuit on Wednesday. He ran 81 laps and set a best time of 1:21.233. "I was able to do a lot of laps", commented Schumacher. "During the day it got going better and better and at the end of the day we had gathered a lot of valuable data. I am looking forward to the first entry of the F2005".

Ferrari will take two F2005s to Bahrain, one for each driver. The F2004 M used in Australia and Malaysia will be on hand as the back up car.