FEBRUARY 10, 2001

Barrichello gets first run

RUBENS BARRICHELLO experienced his first taste of Ferrari's 2001 machinery at Mugello on Friday.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO experienced his first taste of Ferrari's 2001 machinery at Mugello on Friday.

On a rain-soaked track, the Brazilian drove 44 laps and was pleased with the new F2001 car, although he did complain that the new technical regulations had made it harder to drive.

"The first impressions are good," he said. "The car seems very stable in the fast corners and handles well in the wet. "

"But compared with last year it might seem a little bit harder to drive because of the changes in the technical regulations."

It was the fifth day of Ferrari's test at the circuit, and Barrichello clocked a time of one minute and 32.656 seconds. The team plans to run longer stints in Saturday's test if the weather improves.