Schumacher to test slicks at Ferrari next week

[TheStig]

Michael Schumacher will return in Ferrari's F2008 cockpit next week at Circuit de Catalunya. The German was invited by the Italian team to test the team's car with Bridgestone's slicks for a day at the Spanish track.

A Ferrari F1 spokesperson told GPUpdate.net: "Michael Schumacher will be testing with our team on Wednesday. He will mainly focus on the development of slick tyres - the tyres that will be used in 2009. Felipe Massa will be testing on Monday and Tuesday while Kimi Raikkonen will be in the car on Thursday."

For Schumacher it will be the second time this year he will be testing with the Ferrari Formula One team.

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/04/10/schumacher-to-test-slicks-at-ferrari-next-week/

TheStig

[Steven Roy]

Do tests of next year's car count as testing mileage?  I guess only ALianora would know that. 

I thought next years rules were still to be finalised.  So how do Ferrari know what to test?  Sorry I just realised what a stupid question that was.

[cosworth151]

I wonder if this is considered to be a Ferrari test or a Bridgestone test. They might call it Brigestone testing compounds to fit the new rules. I know it's a fine point, but it's just the kind of thing that the FIA would do to sneak Ferrari a few extra tests.

[Alianora La Canta]

Testing of next year's car definitely counts as testing, unless it is either disguised as promotional runs (there's no word of Ferrari using this method) or a "young driver" (i.e. one who's done no Grands Prix and fewer than 4 test days in the previous 2 years) does the testing. If Ferrari had been patient enough not to run Michael until November, then he could have done all the testing Ferrari wanted at no mileage cost. As it stands, these runs will count towards Ferrari's test allocation for 2008.

[Steven Roy]

Thamks Ali