Schumacher backs decision to run old car

The Italian marque had planned to introduce its replacement for the F2002 at the race this weekend, but has decided to delay the new car's introduction because of concerns over its reliability, a decision Schumacher agrees with.

"It's not yet 100 percent reliable," Schumacher told Italian newspaper Corriere della Serra. "It'll be a big step forwards in terms of performance, but there's no point in taking the risk." Meanwhile, sources close to the team claim that Luca di Montezemolo wanted it to be raced for the first time at Imola, in front of the Tifosi.

Ferrari has endured a trying start to the season, with Schumacher failing to score a podium driving the F2002, despite finishing in the top three at every race last year.

But Schumacher believes this is down to bad luck and not the old car. "The poor start was the result of circumstances and a few of my own mistakes," he said. "The difference is that we've been unlucky. At the Australian Grand Prix it was the weather, in Brazil we fell foul of the new regulations. Only in Malaysia were we clearly slower, but that was also the case last year."