Ferrari at Bahrain

First day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, working from today at the Sakhir circuit, in Bahrain. First priority on the day's programme was to fine tune as well as possible the two cars being used - the F2004 fitted with a regulated power V10 and the 248 F1, in the hands of Luca Badoer and Felipe Massa respectively. Also on the agenda was the start of Bridgestone tyre testing for the first races of the season.

Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir - (5.417 km)
Drivers: Felipe Massa and Luca Badoer
Cars: F2004 and 248 F1
Weather: air temperature 22/27 °C, track temperature 25/33 °C. Partially cloudy.

Badoer covered a total of 77 laps, the quickest in a time of 1'32"297; Massa completed 51 laps, his best performance a 1'32"952.

"I am very pleased that we have come to the Bahrain International Circuit as it is an ideal track to prepare for the season. The asphalt is very good and once it has been cleaned of the sand, the track conditions remain very consistent for the rest of the session. This is a very important test for us because we can practice in the same conditions we will have at the first race of the season", said Luca Badoer about this testing session.

Testing continues at this circuit tomorrow, still with Badoer and Massa on track.