A week of intensive testing has today come to a close at Fiorano. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro worked on two tracks using no less than five drivers as it strived to be as well prepared as possible for the final three races of the season.

Between them Schumacher, Barrichello, Badoer, Massa and Burti covered around five thousand kilometres totalling the distances at Monza and Fiorano. After a one and a half month break, the test team embarked on a very intensive technical programme, which looked at all areas of development on the F2003-GA, as well as the Bridgestone tyres. “We brought a new aerodynamic package to Monza and it delivered good results,” said technical director Ross Brawn. “We also worked on car set-up, acquiring information which will be important for the coming race weekend. On the tyre side, we also made some significant progress, thanks to the work we carried out with Bridgestone. Both Michael and Rubens declared themselves satisfied with the results of the testing.” There are also modifications on the engine side for the F2003-GA, as head of the Scuderia’s Engine Department, Paolo Martinelli confirmed. “We have a few improvements specifically adapted to the unusual requirements of the Monza circuit. We did two endurance tests with the latest specification of the 052 engine, which produced positive results in terms of reliability and performance, although of course we will have to see how these work in race conditions.”

“All will be decided in the final three Grands Prix of the season and for us at Ferrari, it’s a bit like reliving the same atmosphere we experienced on the eve of Monza in 2000,” commented Gestione Sportiva Managing Director Jean Todt. “The final outcome will depend on the competitivity shown by our engine-chassis-Bridgestone tyre package compared with that of our rivals. This race will be crucial: any slip-up on the part of the contenders - Schumacher, Montoya or Raikkonen in the Drivers’ championship, Ferrari, BMW-Williams or McLaren-Mercedes in the Constructors’, will make the next two races rather difficult.”

Today at Fiorano, Badoer carried out final tests as part of the Bridgestone tyre development programme and also shook down two of the four cars which will be used in the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix.