APRIL 7, 1997
Schumacher quick at Mugello
The following day Schumacher took over but ran only "Step One" engines as he tire-tested, completing 45 laps. On Thursday he used the newer engines to run a race distance, although he had to abandon the test three laps before it was due to finish when the Ferrari suffered a hydraulic leak. The engine proved to be quick, setting a fastest lap of 1m25.25s - a new lap record at Mugello.
While Schumacher was busy in Italy, Benetton and Jordan both tested at Silverstone. Jean Alesi flew back from South America to try out a new front suspension geometry for the Benetton B197 and completed 21 lap of the circuit, while Giancarlo Fisichella was also in action, shaking down a new Jordan chassis which is destined to become his race car, after the Argentine GP. This will mean that the team will have a chassis free to become the team's test car.