Sunday March 24th, 2002

Ferrari will ship only one chassis of the F2002 to Brazil, prepared for World Champion Michael Schumacher.

The team said in a statement the decision was taken by Ferrari's president Luca di Montezemolo and the sporting director Jean Todt.

"The development programme on the new car, which has gone ahead over the past few weeks, means we have been able to take the F2002 to the Interlagos race," declared Todt.

"The new car has proved to be quick and reliable. The car will be allocated to Michael Schumacher, who will have a modified F2001 as a spare car. Rubens Barrichello will have two modified F2001 at his disposal for his home race."

Test driver Luca Badoer shook down the F2002 chassis number 220 today at the team's Fiorano track in Italy. He drove for less than an hour for 16 laps, setting a best time of 59.487.

The F2002 will be shipped tonight to Sao Paulo, where Michael Schumacher will have a choice between driving the F2002 or the 2001 car, while his teammate, Rubens Barrichello, will be driving the F2001.

Barrichello had a first taste of the F2002 this week at Barcelona, while Schumacher had previously tested the new car extensively before the 2002 season began.

Published at 15:36:49 GMT