Ferrari to take new chassis to Barcelona

Technical director Ross Brawn said at the San Marino Grand Prix last weekend that the new car would only be given the green light if it completed three race distances during this week's tests - a target that was achieved. Ferrari had originally planned to take the car to Imola for the San Marino GP but reliability fears prompted a change of tactics.

"We are happy to have overcome the running-in problems which prevented us giving it its debut in Imola," said Brawn. "Now we are ready to use it in a race. This week's testing went very well and I am confident as one can be when running a new car. The F2002 was a fantastic car, but it has reached the end of its development cycle.

"The new machine has already shown itself to be quicker and we have some further improvements in mind for the rest of the season."

The F2003-GA is understood to feature a radical new engine which is much lower than its predecessor. This helps the car's overall centre of gravity. "We have signed off the 052 engine in reliability terms, having successfully completed all the tests, both on the bench and the track," said engine director Paolo Martinelli. "Luca Badoer has completed three grands prix distance simulations at Mugello, without experiencing any technical problems.

"Now, the new engine is ready to face a race weekend and we are already working on further evolutionary steps for later in the year."