Gene hails Ferrari superiority

"Now I understand what it takes to be a world champion," said Gene. "In my opinion Ferrari won because it has the best driver in the best car. But from whatever aspect you look at it the car is clearly so much superior to others. But I would like to help them get even better!

"It is very easy to drive and it is so fast and the performance is just so surprisingly superb."

Gene was all smiles in the Barcelona paddock. He was released from his Williams contract having been informed two months ago that he may not be required at the team in 2005. His relationship with Williams is reported to have soured after he recorded poor results while standing in for Ralf Schumacher at the French and British GPs.

"It's been two months since Frank Williams told me that he may not be able to secure my services for next year and he did mention there may be a total change of drivers," explained Gene. "Obviously since then I have contacted all the top teams and they were all interested, but Ferrari was the first team to come back to me.

"So basically I went back to Williams and told them exactly what had happened so I can be released from my contract and start with Ferrari."

Gene admitted after driving a 2004-spec Ferrari at Barcelona on Tuesday that it was a dream come true. "Working for the best team in Formula 1 what can I say?" he said "I feel a bit of responsibility in a way. But I am just so, so happy."

"The feeling is really really good and it is a special sensation when I drive. Most of all I didn't expect this to happen, and particulary how quickly.

"Yesterday morning was just getting the confidence and then in the afternoon I started doing work with the tyres. In fact after 10 or 15 laps I started feeling more comfortable in the car. But I concentrated on understanding the car from a technical point of view first of all before getting down to development work."