Schumacher Happy at F2005 Debut

Although Schumacher and teammate Rubens Barrichello have only had one day of testing each with the car so far, Ferrari's disappointing start to the year has left them deciding to gamble on an earlier than planned introduction for the F2005.

But rather than express any hesitation about the team's decision, especially after Barrichello suffered a mysterious engine problem at the end of his day's running, Schumacher has no doubts that the team have done the right thing.

"That we will already use the new car in the next race, I can only welcome," said the German. "With my first test in the car I was very happy and I managed to complete many laps.

"During the course of the day the car became better and better and by the evening we had got some very meaningful data. I am looking forward then to the first race with the F2005."

Schumacher in particular will be hoping that the F2005 will allow him to hit the ground running in Bahrain, with him currently staring at a 14-points deficit to World Championship leader Fernando Alonso in the drivers' title table.