As Ferrari resumed testing at Fiorano on Tuesday, Michael Schumacher insisted the team are still potential title challengers, despite their poor start to the 2005 season.
Ferrari failed to score in Barcelona and lie fifth in the constructorsÂ’ standings on 18 points, 40 behind leaders Renault. Nevertheless, Schumacher maintained there is still hope for the champions.
"Of course it wasn't the greatest result in the race for the title; that is clear enough,” he said. “Obviously the title challenge has got harder but all is not yet lost. We will go on working and battling. It is far from over."
After the stunning race pace they displayed in Imola, a lot was expected of Ferrari in Spain. In the end this did not materialise and instead it was McLaren who streaked away to end RenaultÂ’s stranglehold on the 2005 campaign.
“The season's opening races have proved just how much can change during a single weekend and how quickly they can change,” pointed out Schumacher. “So, I'll say it once more: the season is a long one and lots could still happen.
"Those who consider us to be out of the running do not know us," he warned. "We will not be swayed by all the worry. We will work calmly on our weak points and we will get back to being competitive as soon as we can."
In a bid to regain that competitiveness, Luca Badoer was on track in the F2005 on Tuesday, carrying out Monaco Grand Prix preparations and Bridgestone tyre development. He completed 188 laps (23 of them on the trackÂ’s short layout) with a best time of 57.649s.
Badoer continues work at Fiorano on Wednesday, when Schumacher will join him. Rubens Barrichello is also expected to test this week.