24/03/2005
NEWS STORY
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Talking both before and after its diastrous Malaysia GP, Ferrari was adamant that a decision as to whether the introduction of the F2005 would be brought forward to Bahrain, would be made by the middle of this week.
What seems odd is that the Italian team has now completed its scheduled test programme for this week, and has therefore made some sort of decision.
Yet are we to believe that this decision will be based on Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello's opinion, neither of whom did more than 95 laps, and in fact totalled just 176 laps (555 miles).
Thus far, Ferrari has carried out 11 days of testing since the season began - 12 if consider the fact that they tested at both Fiorano and Mugello on Monday - continuing to ignore the 30 limit agreed by its nine rivals.
If its rival teams can test until the end of this week, why hasn't Ferrari opted to continue its test at Mugello and thereby give its drivers further (much needed) experience of the car.
Both Schumacher and Barrichello preofessed to being delighted with the new car, claiming that it is "quicker" and a "step forward", yet are we to beleive they would have actually said, "I'm disappointed" or "it's crap".
Strange days at Maranello.
For what it's worth, since the test limit was introduced, BAR has used 4 days, completing 2629.6 miles, Ferrari 11 (3365.7 miles), McLaren 3 (1235.6 miles), Renault 3 (1718.6 miles), Toyota 2 (920.8miles), WilliamsF1 2 (401.7 miles) and Red Bull 1 (140.8 miles).
These stats include testing on March 23.