Schumacher Confident F2005 is Ready

The German was drafted in for a last-minute test of the F2005 at the team's Fiorano test track on Saturday - having earlier driven the car for just one day at Mugello - and he believes that Ferrari have got enough data to unleash at least some of the car's full potential at Sakhir.

"We worked purposefully over the entire week and were able to collect a lot of data," said Schumacher on his website. "We therefore have a very good and very current baseline for careful analysis now.

"More importantly, the natural realisation is that we are far enough with our new car to be able to use it when racing this weekend. I am looking at this debut with much tension and excitement."

Ferrari's disappointing start to the season was one of the key factors in the team deciding to bring forward the introduction of the F2005 for Bahrain, with it originally was due to make its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix.

And, although there is a general opinion that Renault is now favourite to win the World Championship, after the early victories for Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso highlighted the pace of the R25, Schumacher knows there is still plenty of time for a Ferrari fightback.

"For many years in Formula One, I have known that there are different phases in each season," explained the seven-times Champion. "And this season will be longer than all the ones before it. There is still very much that can happen.

"Things can change very fast, as we ourselves have experienced. One can come to the front with a reasonable amount of work and therefore we are continuing to concentrate on our work."