F2003-GA Hits Trouble at Imola (Updated)

World Champion Michael Schumacher continued today assessing the new Ferrari for the 2003 season, kicking off a test at the Imola circuit.

The German driver, however, was hit by trouble in his second outing with the new F2003-GA car, and could only complete eight laps before his car came to a halt near the pits. Schumacher set a quickest lap of 1:24.250 with the new Ferrari, before returning to work with the old F2002, with which he posted a fastest lap of 1:21.617 after 43 laps.

The Italian World Champions worked also with test driver Luca Badoer, who at the wheel of another F2002, covered 15 laps and set a fastest time of 1:25.090.

The Sauber team were also in action at the Italian circuit, testing with both their drivers Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Nick Heidfeld. The younger German was the fastest of the two, finishing ahead of Frentzen.

"The weather and track conditions have been good today and we have been able to start our test programme as scheduled," said Jacky Eeckelaert, Sauber's head of vehicle engineering. "The track layout of Imola is similar to Melbourne. Therefore we could get very close to real race conditions as they will be found at the GP in Albert Park.

"The track with its chicanes puts a high demand on brakes and therefore we particularly focused today on the brake materials as well as brake cooling. Apart from this the programme today comprised aerodynamic and tyre testing. Overall I am happy with what we could achieve today."

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:21.617 51 2. Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:23.757 76 3. Frentzen Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:24.458 93 4. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:25.090 15 All Timing Unofficial

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