Tuesday April 17th, 2001

The Ferrari team were back in action at the Fiorano circuit today, to prepare for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, which takes place on April 29 at the Barcelona track.

Following the San Marino Grand Prix, Ferrari's technical staff met on Tuesday and said they were satisfied that the problem which forced Michael Schumacher out of the race had been identified and resolved - a failure in the front left suspension group which led to the rim being damaged and the consequent loss of air from the tyre.

"Two weeks ago were we supposedly breaking clear from the other teams and now we're in crisis," Ferrari's sporting director Jean Todt said before the meeting.

"Let's not exaggerate. We weren't breaking clear then, as has unfortunately been proved, and we're not in crisis now, as we will try to show."

For the first time this season, the Italian team used three F2001 chassis, with test driver Luca Badoer at the wheel of two of them and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello working on the third. The two drivers worked on aerodynamics and electronics in preparation for the next race.

Badoer completed a total of 74 laps with a best time of 1:00.164, while Barrichello ran 60 laps with a fastest one of 1:00.214

Ferrari will continue testing tomorrow, this time at Mugello, with Luca Badoer and Rubens Barrichello driving.