Malaysian debut for new Ferrari? 04 Mar 2002
Ferrari will make a decision by the end of this week on whether to use their new 2002 car for the next round of the season in Malaysia.
Michael Schumacher used last year's F2001 model to good effect on Sunday by winning the season opener in Australia. However, the team have said they are working hard to prepare the new F2002 and that it could be ready in time for the Malaysian Grand Prix on March 17.
"We will test the new car in Mugello until Saturday and then decide about Malaysia," said Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt, according to Ananova. "We would have no problem getting the car there for the race the following week."
Ferrari chose to use last year's car in Melbourne due to reliability concerns over the F2002. Todt admitted they had not expected to win the race, but said he welcomed such a strong start to their season.
"This does take some pressure off us now," he said. "If we had been uncompetitive and behind on pace then we would have been in a difficult situation.
"We honestly did not expect to win the first race though we wanted to be competitive."
Ferrari were fastest in every practice session and qualifying at Albert Park and Michael Schumacher won the race by almost 19 seconds after team-mate Rubens Barrichello was eliminated in a first-lap accident.
Ferrari will make a decision by the end of this week on whether to use their new 2002 car for the next round of the season in Malaysia.
Michael Schumacher used last year's F2001 model to good effect on Sunday by winning the season opener in Australia. However, the team have said they are working hard to prepare the new F2002 and that it could be ready in time for the Malaysian Grand Prix on March 17.
"We will test the new car in Mugello until Saturday and then decide about Malaysia," said Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt, according to Ananova. "We would have no problem getting the car there for the race the following week."
Ferrari chose to use last year's car in Melbourne due to reliability concerns over the F2002. Todt admitted they had not expected to win the race, but said he welcomed such a strong start to their season.
"This does take some pressure off us now," he said. "If we had been uncompetitive and behind on pace then we would have been in a difficult situation.
"We honestly did not expect to win the first race though we wanted to be competitive."
Ferrari were fastest in every practice session and qualifying at Albert Park and Michael Schumacher won the race by almost 19 seconds after team-mate Rubens Barrichello was eliminated in a first-lap accident.
