New Ferrari Makes Debut at Fiorano

World Champion Michael Schumacher tested Ferrari's F2002 for the first time on Sunday as the team prepare to decide whether to use the new car for the start of the season.

German Schumacher was the first driver to get behind the wheel of the new car, which was launched on Wednesday, as he tested at Ferrari's Fiorano test track in Italy.

Four-time champion Schumacher took to the track in short spells to allow technicians to analyse data as they aim to make a decision on whether to start the season with the F2002. Ferrari took a gamble with the design of the F2002 and will begin serious testing on Monday in a bid to ensure the car is reliable.

Last year's F2001 helped the team to double World Championship success and technical director Ross Brawn admitted that Ferrari could opt for a safe option and stick with the old car for the season-opening Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 3.

"Our options are open because we don't have a lot of time," said Brawn. "If we have two weeks of testing without problems we will start with the F2002 but if not we will stick with the old one."