Both Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello tested the new car this week and the team decided on racing with the new car 2 races earlier than originally planned. This is in response to the poor result the team had in Malaysia last weekend.

A Ferrari statement read:

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro will line up with the F2005 for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which takes place at the Sakhir circuit on 3rd April. The decision was taken this morning in Maranello, after analysing data from the last three days of testing at Mugello

"In the next race we will be running with the new car," commented Ferrari Managing Director Jean Todt. "The Mugello test, which saw both race drivers try the F2005 for the first time, confirmed its potential."

"We will have two F2005, one for each driver, while the for the spare, we will use one of the F2004 M used in Australia and Malaysia. The contrasting results of the first two races gave us a positive incentive."

"Along with Bridgestone, we decided to accelerate the development programme and we believe that the combination of various new elements -- car and tyre -- will allow us to move back on the attack after two Grands Prix on the defensive."

"I have to say I am very happy with the way the team and all our partners have reacted to try and quickly return to our true level of competitiveness."

Michael Schumacher commented: "I can only be happy about the decision to use the new car already at the next race. Already yesterday at my first test with it, it gave me a good feeling."
"I was able to do a lot of laps. During the day it got better and better and at the end of the day we had gathered a lot of valuable data. I am looking forward to the first entry of the F2005."

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