Ferrari News Updates

Ferrari deny Badoer snub

Ferrari have for the first time commented fully on the selection of Mika Salo for the drive in the Ferrari.

"It was not an easy choice because we already had a very good test driver in Luca Badoer who drives for Minardi as well. In our opinion we had two choices: to take Luca from Minardi or to ask for another who we felt could do a good job and was available. Considering the pressure and the tension we will be living at the moment we felt it would be better to ask Mika Salo to drive the car.'

Todt also said that the team would now "concentrate on both [championships]. Eddie is second equal to Michael, eight points behind Mika, so it's very open. In the constructors we are leading by two points. Losing one key element of the team does not help but we do not have a choice so we just have to make the car even better."

More damage to Schumacher than previously reported

Jean Todt has revealed that Michael Schumacher has more than just broken bones in his leg.

"He has a little damage to his toe and on the rear part of the foot but it is nothing serious. The major thing is the broken leg." sad Todt. He also went on to say that the physiotherapy is concentrating on his foot as this is the most crucial to have sensitivity in, as it is his throttle foot that is damaged.

Irvine pays Salo odd compliment

Eddie Irvine has been speaking about Mika Salo's chances in the Ferrari:

"Mika does not make a lot of mistakes, he does not go off the road a lot, but that's not what Formula One is about. Formula One is about being fast. Mika, potentially, could be very good and it is a great opportunity for him. He has never been in a top team, never had that opportunity. I have not really spoken to him yet, but it is not going to be easy for him. Its difficult coming into a top team and being expected to go fast straight away."

Irvine also has hit back at criticisms from Jean Todt about his finishing second in the British GP.

"Jean was not at the race, he had cleared off and did not understand. I was not trying to beat Coulthard, I was trying to beat Hakkinen. He did not realise Hakkinen was still in the race. He did not know that I was racing Hakkinen and I had pulled his lead down from seven seconds to four. The McLaren mechanics were so far out I had to come in late. I make small mistakes, but everyone makes mistakes when you are pushing. I am interested, myself, in seeing how much I can step up a gear. But sport is all in the head. If you know you are not the team's number one priority, if you know that you are not the one expected to win the world championship it has got to have an effect."

-- Stephen M Baines http://www.motorsport.org.uk