Ferrari Confirm: F2003-GA Debut Postponed

As reported earlier by Atlas F1, Ferrari have now confirmed they have decided to postpone the debut of the F2003-GA by at least two weeks.

The Italian team, who have failed to win any of the first three Grands Prix of this season, were due to debut the radical new machine at Imola on home ground in front of their Tifosi fans.

But team spokesman Luca Collajanni told Atlas F1: "We will race with the old car and our goal now is to bring the new F2003-GA car into service at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

"The explanation for this decision is that the new car is a step forward but it still has some problems. These are normal problems you would expect for a new car but there is no point in taking risks.

"We know we can win with the old car, we have proved already that it is on the pace, and we go to Imola next weekend with the aim to win."

The radical new machine has had a problematic introduction since it was revealed before the start of the season. It has been crashed twice by test driver Luca Badoer and suffered two mechanical failures in testing last week.

Insiders at the team admitted the difficulties have been a surprise and said: "There have been many problems with the new car and it is clear that people should think about whether to introduce it."

The news will be good news for McLaren-Mercedes, who have won two of the first three races this season and are currently 23 points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors' world championship.

Schumacher and Barrichello are tied for an unfamiliar sixth place in the championship on eight points each while Ferrari go into their first home race of the year lying third in the title race.