FEBRUARY 2, 2001
Compliments all round for F2001 from Schumacher
WORLD CHAMPION Michael Schumacher heaped praise on the Ferrari team after he completed another trouble-free day of testing in the F2001 at Fiorano on Friday.
German Schumacher tested the new challenger for a second day running at the team's test track and completed 102 laps with a quickest lap time of 59.231 seconds. He then heaped praise on the machine.
"The times do not mean much as a lot depends on the tires," Schumacher said. "Bridgestone has really done a good job.
"The most important thing is that the car has immediately proved itself very reliable. Furthermore, the car reacts well and feels solid. I am very happy and I must compliment the engineers who have done a fantastic job."
Schumacher will continue at the Italian circuit for a third day on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Ferrari's temporary test driver Fabrizio Giovanardi ended his two-day test at Vairano, Italy, and got through his duties without any problems.
Italian Giovanardi, a competitor with Alfa Romeo in the FIA European Super Touring Car Championship, stood in for a second day in the absence of official tester Luca Badoer.
Giovanardi worked on new aerodynamic solutions and completed 32 runs in a four-hour test.