APRIL 26, 2003

Ferrari gives go-ahead for new car in Spain

Ferrari will run the new F2003 GA in Barcelona next week, the team now being satisfied that the car will be reliable enough in the races.

"I am as confident as one can be when running a new car," said technical director Ross Brawn. "The F2002 was a fantastic car, but it has reached the end of its development cycle. The new machine has already shown itself to be quicker and we have some further improvements in mind for the rest of the season."

The F2003-GA has been under development since its launch in February but has had two heavy crashes because of mechanical failures. The delay in introducing the car was blamed on the engine but the teams says that the engines have now been run through three Grand Prix distance simulations at Mugello, without experiencing any technical problems.