Though its F2008 challenger has displayed impressive pace and potential in the build-up to the fast-approaching new
Formula 1 campaign,
Ferrari is clearly wary of taking anything for granted as it bids to defend its two championship crowns gained last year.
The
Scuderia wound up its testing for the week in Barcelona today, a day after all the other teams present had left the circuit.
Felipe Massa and test driver Luca Badoer were behind the wheel of the two scarlet machines, but whilst the Brazilian enjoyed trouble-free running, the Italian ran into some reliability woes.
Questions have already been asked about the F2008's durability, on the back of a number of failures for Massa in Bahrain earlier this month. Technical director Aldo Costa acknowledged the hard work ahead of Melbourne was far from over yet.
“It was a good working day today,” the Italian stressed, “even if it wasn't perfect. The gearbox on Luca's car leaked oil so he had to stop, while everything was fine with Felipe's car. That means we still have some work to do to be ready for the race in Melbourne; it's enough that one detail is not right to destroy the whole race.
“We are quite satisfied as far as the performance is concerned, but it's impossible to say where we stand compared to the others. We've used the track alone today so we don't have realistic lap times.
“Next week we have another three test days here at Barcelona. Also [Michael] Schumacher will be here for one day; it's important to be able to count on his help as a test driver.”
