Fiorano Best For F399.

The latest Ferrari achieved its best showing at the team's Fiorano test track yesterday, as Michael Schumacher lapped the Italian circuit in 1min 01.518secs.


Ferrari was running at the behest of Bridgestone, as the Japanese company wanted to try out its latest tyres, but took advantage of the situation to experiment with various set-ups and aerodynamic revisions on the F399. The improvements in both lap times and handling have further advanced Schumacher's belief that the team is catching up with McLaren.


"Before the start of the season, I said that the F399 was a very good car," Schumacher reminded onlookers, "and now I can confirm that. We are steadily improving its performance. If, after five races, we are still in the same situation [as Melbourne], then perhaps the criticisms are right, but it is impossible to judge Ferrari after one race - in fact, it is stupid to do so. Brazil is a different type of circuit, and then there are the first of the European races. Only then will we have a clearer picture."


Although Schumacher's team-mate Eddie Irvine won in Melbourne, the team knows that it was comprehensively out-performed by McLaren duo Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard. With a fortnight still to run before the next race, in Brazil, Ferrari has mapped out a series of revisions in its pursuit of the silver cars, with Schumacher, Irvine and test driver Luca Badoer scheduled to test on a regular basis.