F1: Schu content to keep new car under wraps
Michael Schumacher insists Ferrari have not been put under greater pressure to introduce their 2002 challenger despite his defeat in the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The reigning champion had to settle for a fortunate third in Kuala Lumpur yesterday in last year’s modified car as the Williams-BMW duo of his younger brother, Ralf, and Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya swept to a crushing one-two.
Ferrari will test both the F2001 and F2002 in Barcelona this week before deciding which car to take to the third round of the championship in Brazil on Sunday week.
‘‘We are not under more pressure to use the new car,’’ said the 33-year-old German who won the opening race in Australia in last year’s car.
‘‘We took the old car to the first two races and did not really expect to have 14 points in our account at this stage of the season.
‘‘To pick up four points (in Malaysia) is fine and I am happy and relaxed about it.
‘‘The season is 17 races long and even if the car is not ready for Brazil we are going to take points from there for sure and the championship is not going to be decided after the first three races.’’
Ferrari decided to start the season with a modified version of the car which powered Schumacher to a fourth drivers’ crown because of fears over the reliability of their 2002 challenger.
But the ominous form of the Williams-BMW - aided by their Michelin tyres in the searing heat at Sepang - could see them unleash the new car at Interlagos having continued development on it in Italy during the two fly-away races.
‘‘The F2002 should be quicker than the modified F2001 even if that car has proved to be pretty competitive,’’ said Ferrari’s sporting director Jean Todt.
‘‘We knew this year’s championship would be very close and that was proved in Malaysia. It was a great battle between great teams, great engine manufacturers and tyre companies.’’
