Ferrari in the dark about F10's pace

Despite Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso leading the way in this week's first pre-season F1 test in Valencia, Ferrari is remaining cautious about what the early indications are of the 2010 cars.

And with the team vowing to wait for one more further test before adding aerodynamic improvements to its car, the clear picture of form may not become clear for a while.

Technical director Aldo Costa told the official Ferrari website: "We see that we are fast but we don't know how much we are fast compared to the others.

"The good thing is that...all the calculations and all the evaluations during the design and production of the new car are seeing a good result on the track."

Costa said there had been no unexpected problems with the F10, and that the team, plus Massa and Alonso, were pleased with the situation it was in.

"The feedback in general was good," he said. "It is a good baseline to develop the car for the next test and the first few races, so positive."

Ferrari will bring some mechanical developments to next week's Jerez test, before new aero parts arrive for the second run out at the Spanish track the following week.

Costa also confirmed that Ferrari was running a 'highly' tapered gearbox on the F10 to try and maximise the effectiveness of the car's double diffuser.

And he also expressed some hope that a fresh double diffuser controversy marring the start of the season could be averted.

"The FIA is keeping things in check and is answering every team with regards to the doubts and the realization of the double diffuser," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "Unfortunately, this rule book is open to many interpretations."