SCAPERIA, Italy - Michael Schumacher has given Ferrari's new car the thumbs up after testing it out for the first time here Wednesday.
The seven-time world champion drove the F2005 at the Italian team's Mugello test track near Florence and his initial impression was positive.
"It's always a great feeling to get behind the wheel of a new car," said the 36-year-old German.
"It was wonderful to get in it and finally drive it. It was important for me to try it for myself after the positive feedback from (fellow Ferrari drivers) Luca Badoer and Rubens Barichello."
Ferrari have taken just 10 points from the first two races and they are considering whether to use the new car at the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 3 as they look to improve on their poor start to the season.
Schumacher is lying in 11th place in the drivers' championship with just two points, 14 adrift of Renault's Fernando Alonso.
On Tuesday, Barrichello tried out the new car only to end his session prematurely when the car started behaving strangely.
However, despite the mishap Ferrari's number two driver was impressed.
"I was really happy with the handling of the car which is extremely quick," said the Brazilian.
03/23/2005 16:45 GMT