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28 February
2010 @ 17:27 GMT - Charles Cooper
Michael Schumacher
was at the wheel of the MGP W01 car today to conclude this weeks
four-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona and complete
his own on-track preparations for the new season.
Michael spent the
morning focusing on qualifying simulations and developing the set-up
of the car before working on race procedures throughout the
afternoon. Michael completed 123 laps with a quickest time of 1:20.745.
Todays
action brings the pre-season test programme to a conclusion after
fifteen days of track action in Valencia, Jerez and Barcelona during
February. With the 2010 Formula One season getting underway in less
than two weeks, Michael and Nico Rosberg will next be in action on
Friday 12 March for the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Michael
Schumacher: The four testing days here in Barcelona have helped
us to make significant progress with the MGP W01 and I am feeling
quite confident for the start of the season. It is always difficult
to read too much into testing but knowing our programme, it is fair
to say that the times did not always reflect the true picture. We
have worked through many set-up and development evaluations this week
and gained valuable information to study before Bahrain. We are
heading the first race with a good feeling and we know that we will
have our upgrades there. But most of all we know that our prospects
for even the first races are looking very reasonable now.
Ross Brawn:
Today brings our pre-season testing programme to its conclusion
and overall we are very pleased with the progress made with the MGP
W01 and the integration of Michael and Nico into our team. In
performance terms, we are not quite where we want to be yet but then
again we are not far off. In testing, it is always difficult to be
precise about your position relative to the competition, and we have
our complete upgrade package due for the first race in Bahrain which
should bring further improvements. Michael and Nico have both looked
very good during the tests and they are working well together to
improve the car. |