F2005 at Bahrain
Michael Schumacher was at Maranello yesterday (Saturday) for a day of testing at the Fiorano circuit.
The World Champion carried out the shakedown of the two F2005 which Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro will use in the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for 3rd April at the Sakhir circuit.
At the wheel of an F2004M, he also carried out tyre testing aimed at the rest of the season. Unlike usual, the Scuderia did not reveal the number of laps nor the quickest time of the German driver.
H.G.
Source Ferrari Press
I am starting to think that this F2005 is amazingly fast, this is one of the first times the Ferrari has not released the quickest lap which Schumacher has completed on either Fiorano or Mugello. Bahrain is going to be a very different race, than the other two. Ferrari now has a car which is at par with the rest of feild. Barichello managed to finish 2nd in Melbourne despite the fact that his car is much slower than the rest of the feild. So lets not get to carried away now saying that Ferrari is done, like many of you anti-Ferrari fans have stated. I am pretty sure Ferrari will come back this season fighting for top position.
Schumacher has two points from the season's first two races but expects an improvement with the new F2005.
"I'm looking forward to the car's debut - I'm really excited about it," said the seven-time world champion.
"We worked on our goals all week and were able to collect a lot of data. We've got a good basis for analysis."
Schumacher cruised to another world title last season but has found the competition - notably Renault - somewhat stiffer in 2005.
The German failed to finish the opening Grand Prix in Australia and could only manage seventh place in Malaysia.
Ferrari have been racing with a modified version of last year's car but will now wheel out the new model two races ahead of schedule.
"The most important fact is that we are far enough along with the new car to be able to use it next weekend," added Schumacher.
"It certainly won't be an easy race for us, but races are seldom easy. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Schumacher said the team was not panicking, despite the slow start to the season.
"One of the things I've learned from the past is that every Formula One season has its different phases, and this season will be longer than every one before it," he said.
"A lot is still going to happen. That things can change quickly as we're seeing right now - and that with good work you can move up."
Source BBC F1
So lets hope that this car works out for the best.
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