As Ferrari resumed testing at Fiorano on Tuesday,
Michael Schumacher insisted the team are still potential title
challengers, despite their poor start to the 2005
season.
Ferrari failed to score in Barcelona and lie fifth in the
constructors standings on 18 points, 40 behind leaders Renault.
Nevertheless, Schumacher maintained there is still hope for the
champions.
"Of course it wasn't the greatest result in the race for the title;
that is clear enough, he said. Obviously the title challenge has
got harder but all is not yet lost. We will go on working and
battling. It is far from over."
After the stunning race pace they displayed in Imola, a lot was
expected of Ferrari in Spain. In the end this did not materialise
and instead it was McLaren who streaked away to end Renaults
stranglehold on the 2005 campaign.
The season's opening races have proved just how much can change
during a single weekend and how quickly they can change, pointed
out Schumacher. So, I'll say it once more: the season is a long
one and lots could still happen.
"Those who consider us to be out of the running do not know us," he
warned. "We will not be swayed by all the worry. We will work
calmly on our weak points and we will get back to being competitive
as soon as we can."
In a bid to regain that competitiveness, Luca Badoer was on track
in the F2005 on Tuesday, carrying out Monaco Grand Prix
preparations and Bridgestone tyre development. He completed 188
laps (23 of them on the tracks short layout) with a best time of
57.649s.
Badoer continues work at Fiorano on Wednesday, when Schumacher will
join him. Rubens Barrichello is also expected to test this
week.