GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: david1275 on August 01, 2009, 07:40:19 PM
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I wouldn't have put a bet on this happening a few days ago. According to this article on the F1 live website all eight FOTA members have come to the decision to let Michael have a run in Felipe's Ferrari F60 to acquaint himself with the car. The decision has been made as a 'sporting gesture' given the unfortunate circumstances of Felipe's accident. I would love to be a spectator at that test!!
FOTA vice-chairman John Howett has confirmed that eight of the ten Formula One teams are happy if Michael Schumacher conducts a one-off test at the wheel of Felipe Massa's F60 Ferrari.
The Italian team had made the request to the teams alliance, as well as the governing FIA and non-FOTA teams Williams and Force India, so that Schumacher has a chance to acquaint with the Maranello-built car prior to his Valencia comeback next month.
"Toyota's understanding is that all FOTA teams have agreed to accept this request," Howett, also president of the Toyota team, is quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"The situation for Felipe is very unfortunate, and this is a sporting gesture which I am confident Ferrari will respect," he added.
It is believed he is referring to the fact that the teams have asked Ferrari to ensure that Schumacher is simply acquainting with the red car, rather than conducting any sort of technical development work.
The Telegraph said the FIA received the approval of some teams, including Red Bull, "with conditions attached.
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Ferrari confirmed that the request was made to the FIA and said it is "waiting for a reply."
40-year-old Schumacher lapped Ferrari's Mugello circuit nearly 70 times on Friday at the wheel of a privately-owned 2007 Ferrari prepared by the team's 'F1 Clienti' division, bypassing the rules preventing in-season testing.
"It's a great thing getting back on the track with an F1 even if this was a car from 2007 from the F1 Clienti department with slicks usually used in GP2 and obviously there is no real point of reference," he is quoted as saying by the Ferrari website.
"After a couple of laps I was able to drive constant times and I'm happy with the performance. Now we've got to see how my body and the muscles respond in the next days," Schumacher added.
D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM