Saturday, March 06, 2004
ic Wales - Formual 1 Grand Prix season preview
Formual 1 Grand Prix season preview Mar 6 2004
The Western Mail
SIX-TIME world champion Michael Schumacher and team-mate Rubens Barrichello yesterday described the new F2004 as the finest car Ferrari had ever produced after they opened the new Formula One season with a dominant display in Melbourne.
Schumacher bettered the Albert Park lap record on four separate occasions over the two free practice sessions, with his blistering afternoon run of one minute, 24.718 seconds the fastest of the day.
Barrichello's best time was just one 10th of a second slower and none of Ferrari's nearest rivals managed to get within a second all day.
"That's the best Ferrari I've ever driven," said Barrichello.
Renault's Jarno Trulli placed third in both timed sessions - his best lap being 1min, 25.757secs - while BAR repeated the pace they showed in winter testing.
Britain's Jenson Button was fourth quickest with a time of 1min 25.786secs, a run during which he matched Barrichello in recording the fastest speed of the day at 302kph.
But the recent optimistic talk from many team principals had turned into nervous hope after Ferrari recorded the 10 fastest times.
The nature of Friday practice, given the current qualification system, means lap times are often shrouded in mystery with fuel levels and car set-up kept a closely-guarded secret.
McLaren Ron Dennis dismissed Ferrari's achievement, but the feeling from many others was one of trepidation.
"They obviously have a very quick car and it was a very, very impressive performance," said BAR boss David Richards. "If we drained all the fuel out, I am not sure we could get those times."
Minardi supremo Paul Stoddart, asked whether Ferrari had lap records rather than testing in mind, said, "There would be no benefit. I think you might have just seen a very quick car out there today."
But Ferrari boss Jean Todt insisted little significance should be placed on yesterday's performance.
"The serious business comes tomorrow in qualifying and we are mindful of how important it will be for the race to be able to start from the front of the grid," he said.
Although Ferrari worked hard at playing down their performance, they had always been confident.
"I don't believe what I'm seeing right now. I don't believe the gap is that big," said Schumacher.
"It doesn't look like a big revolution from the outside of the new car, but it's quite a good step forward and we're very happy straight out of the box the first time."
The new BAR came in for praise over the winter and Button proved, as the team's senior driver, he is ready to lead the fight as they challenge for a top-four finish.
"The car feels strong and we have some good tyre options, so I'm feeling positive about the race debut of the 006," said the 24-year-old.
Button split the two Renaults, with Spain's Fernando Alonso one 10th further back, while the Williams pair of Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya were sixth and seventh respectively.
The McLarens of David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen finished over a second off the pace, but Coulthard was unconcerned.
"Like the majority of teams, we ran a limited amount of laps as a result of the one engine rule," he said.
"We went through our programme aimed at establishing where we are and we can now concentrate on tomorrow, which is where the action really starts."
Renault chief Flavio Briatore was excited by the performance of the car heading into the crunch part of the weekend.
"We're close to Williams and McLaren. This is very good. If all the teams are close like this, it is very good for the championship," he said.
Formual 1 Grand Prix season preview Mar 6 2004
The Western Mail
SIX-TIME world champion Michael Schumacher and team-mate Rubens Barrichello yesterday described the new F2004 as the finest car Ferrari had ever produced after they opened the new Formula One season with a dominant display in Melbourne.
Schumacher bettered the Albert Park lap record on four separate occasions over the two free practice sessions, with his blistering afternoon run of one minute, 24.718 seconds the fastest of the day.
Barrichello's best time was just one 10th of a second slower and none of Ferrari's nearest rivals managed to get within a second all day.
"That's the best Ferrari I've ever driven," said Barrichello.
Renault's Jarno Trulli placed third in both timed sessions - his best lap being 1min, 25.757secs - while BAR repeated the pace they showed in winter testing.
Britain's Jenson Button was fourth quickest with a time of 1min 25.786secs, a run during which he matched Barrichello in recording the fastest speed of the day at 302kph.
But the recent optimistic talk from many team principals had turned into nervous hope after Ferrari recorded the 10 fastest times.
The nature of Friday practice, given the current qualification system, means lap times are often shrouded in mystery with fuel levels and car set-up kept a closely-guarded secret.
McLaren Ron Dennis dismissed Ferrari's achievement, but the feeling from many others was one of trepidation.
"They obviously have a very quick car and it was a very, very impressive performance," said BAR boss David Richards. "If we drained all the fuel out, I am not sure we could get those times."
Minardi supremo Paul Stoddart, asked whether Ferrari had lap records rather than testing in mind, said, "There would be no benefit. I think you might have just seen a very quick car out there today."
But Ferrari boss Jean Todt insisted little significance should be placed on yesterday's performance.
"The serious business comes tomorrow in qualifying and we are mindful of how important it will be for the race to be able to start from the front of the grid," he said.
Although Ferrari worked hard at playing down their performance, they had always been confident.
"I don't believe what I'm seeing right now. I don't believe the gap is that big," said Schumacher.
"It doesn't look like a big revolution from the outside of the new car, but it's quite a good step forward and we're very happy straight out of the box the first time."
The new BAR came in for praise over the winter and Button proved, as the team's senior driver, he is ready to lead the fight as they challenge for a top-four finish.
"The car feels strong and we have some good tyre options, so I'm feeling positive about the race debut of the 006," said the 24-year-old.
Button split the two Renaults, with Spain's Fernando Alonso one 10th further back, while the Williams pair of Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya were sixth and seventh respectively.
The McLarens of David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen finished over a second off the pace, but Coulthard was unconcerned.
"Like the majority of teams, we ran a limited amount of laps as a result of the one engine rule," he said.
"We went through our programme aimed at establishing where we are and we can now concentrate on tomorrow, which is where the action really starts."
Renault chief Flavio Briatore was excited by the performance of the car heading into the crunch part of the weekend.
"We're close to Williams and McLaren. This is very good. If all the teams are close like this, it is very good for the championship," he said.
