MARCH 10, 2001

Ferrari finalize preparations for Malaysia

FERRARI finalized their preparations for the Malaysian Grand Prix as Rubens Barrichello and Luca Badoer completed the team's five-day test at Fiorano on Saturday.

Barrichello ended his two-day run in the F2001 as he finished set-up work for the Sepang race but was hampered by an engine problem. Just seven laps into his workout he called for an engine change.

The Brazilian covered 40 laps of the Italian circuit with a best time of one minute and 00.359 seconds, and also performed 10 practice starts.

The F2001 car, which is now fitted with the engine Barrichello ran with in the Australian Grand Prix, will be transported to Rome's Fiumicino Airport before being taken to Kuala Lumpur, where it will be the spare car for next weekend's race.

Italian Badoer continued his work on electronic solutions which will be permitted from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. He completed 26 laps in the F12000 with a fastest lap time of one minute and 01.739 seconds.