Ferrari Drivers Expect to Drive the F2002 in Brazil

Michael Schumacher is expecting to race the new Ferrari F2002 in the Brazilian Grand Prix, two weeks after this weekend's Malaysian race.

Ferrari have been forced to run the old car in the opening two races because the team is not happy with the reliability of the new machine.

But Schumacher is expecting it to pass a final test in Barcelona next week and is hopeful the team will make a decision to run with it for the third race of the year.

"I assume we will race the new car in Brazil," said Schumacher. "We have another test after this race but we want to be 100 percent certain nothing is wrong.

"We have been conservative on it, especially after the way the old car performed in the first race."

Schumacher's teammate, Rubens Barrichello, is yet to drive the new car, and will have just one test to get used to it before the Brazil event.

But the Brazilian believes that one test will give him enough track time in the F2002 to prepare for his home race.

"It should not be completely different," said Barrichello. "In terms of set-up for Brazil it will be a learning curve, but in terms of driving to the limit three or four days will be enough."