Rubens Barrichello continued Ferrari's steady yet unspectacular tyre test programme today in testing. Although the Brazilian was still running in the F2003-GA, he believes that the groundwork will pay off come the opening race.

"It was very constructive, because what we've found he and in Barcelona we are building up to make a tyre selection for Melbourne for the new car," said Barrichello. "It was good to do so much running. The lap times do not present much, be when other dropped their pace we were able to run the same or faster times, so it was very encouraging. But it's hard to say what the others are doing.

"I'm pretty confident that Bridgestone will do a good job, but I know the new car is really good. The car is a little bit different [from last year], but I think it's a good car."

Ferrari also confirmed that it will not run its new car at Imola next week, ensuring that the F2004 will not go head-to-head against another car until the first practice session in Melbourne.