Yesterday saw Scuderia Ferrari kick off their 2005 testing programme, as the begin the build-up towards the season opening Australian Grand Prix, which takes place in 53 days time.

For Ferrari, as well as the other nine teams expected to be on the grid in Melbourne, this year's pre-season takes on even more significance, as sweeping new rule changes, designed to both reduce downforce and prolong engine life, means that much testing and development will be required.

The Vallelunga circuit, just outside Rome, which is often used by the Ferrari F1 team as well as Maserati Reparto Corse, to conduct testing work, was chosen as the venue for the initial outing of the year.
 

Long term test driver Luca Badoer was the first of the Scuderia’s four official driver's to jump into the seat of the  2004 F1 World Championship-winning F2004.

The Italian driver’s track programme yesterday focused on development of new Bridgestone tyres, which will be required to cope with the new car's much changed characteristics, while new electronic solutions were also tried out.

Badoer eventually completed a total of 80 laps, the quickest of them being in a time of 58.454. The Italian will continue testing at this circuit today.

Circuit: Autodromo di Vallelunga, 3.243 km – short course 1.746 km; Driver: Luca Badoer; Car: F2004; Weather: air temperatura 2/13 °C, track 4/18 °C. Partially cloudy.