Schumacher encouraged by initial tests

Ferrari took the unusual step of holding a car launch at their Mugello test track, rather than holding a traditional press event at their factory in Maranello.

Rather than lavish presentations and a glamorous backdrop, the launch was merely a testing day with some press conferences held for media members.

"I quite like this style of presentation, where you actually drive rather than stand around, answering questions," Schumacher admitted.

He ran a total of 40 laps in the morning, before meeting the media and then posing for a photo shoot with the car and team.

And the German said despite the restraining conditions, the morning test was a success.

"We have conditions that are far from optimum, yet we ran this morning trouble-free, doing almost 40 laps," Schumacher said.

"I believe we're ready to show a good, competitive car. How competitive, we will only find out when we start testing with the others and finally go racing. But the indications are very positive."

Schumacher was careful, though, no to make any definitive statements, adding: "There have been years where [my initial feelings inside the cars] were [later] confirmed, and there have been other times when they weren't. So obviously it is too soon to tell.

"But we pretty much find this car the way we expected it to be. In a way, that's very positive because last year's car was not [at this stage] what we thought it would be, whereas now all indications are very positive and today has confirmed what we did in Fiorano [last week]."

Schumacher also reiterated his faith in new teammate Felipe Massa, who will be Schumacher's first teammate in six years.

"As I said several times, we can prove to be a good combination," the German said. "He's very talented - that's the reason why Ferrari employed him - and the team is very happy with him.

"I know him quite well: we get on very well together, so there are all the ingredients to be a successful and good couple."