 Michael Schumacher tests his new Ferrarri at Imola |
Michael Schumacher lapped faster in last year's Ferrari than the new model as he tested both at Imola on Tuesday. The world champion completed 34 laps of Ferrari's home circuit with the F2003-GA, which is likely to make its race debut at the track in April.
Schumacher set a time of one minute 21.980 seconds, but also had 23 laps in the old car which lapped in 1:21.795.
The team are due to enter the first three long-haul races of the season with the tried and tested F2002 before the championship returns to Europe at Imola.
Schumacher was on the podium in every race last year and won 11 grands prix, witth Ferrari winning 15 of the 17 races.
The new season starts in Melbourne, Australia on 9 March.
Firman accident
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello and Italian test driver Luca Badoer also tested with the F2002 on Tuesday but their fastest times were well off Schumacher's in the new car.
At testing in Barcelona, Frenchman Olivier Panis led the timesheets for Toyota ahead of Spaniard Fernando Alonso who was testing Renault's new aerodynamic package.
"Everything went quite OK and I am reasonably happy," said Panis. "Overall, we are heading in a good direction."
Britain's F1 new boy Ralph Firman had his first minor accident in the Jordan.
Firman ran off the track due to a mechanical fault that was quickly identified by the team as he practised race distance endurance runs with pit stops.
MMIX
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