F1: Ferrari Asks Rivals If Schumacher Can Test F60

Formula 1

F1: Ferrari Asks Rivals If Schumacher Can Test F60

Ferrari has contacted rivals teams and the FIA to request permission to give a one-day test to Michael Schumacher in its current car...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted July 31, 2009

Ferrari has contacted rivals teams and the FIA to request permission to give a one-day test to Michael Schumacher in its current car despite a strict in-season ban on testing. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Ferrari has contacted rivals teams and the FIA to request permission to give a one-day test to Michael Schumacher in its current car despite a strict in-season ban on testing, SPEEDtv.com has learned.

It has already been reported that Michael will drive a 2007 ‘demo’ car run by the Ferrari customer division at Mugello in Italy this weekend, but the request clearly refers to an outing in the F60, since that is what the testing agreement covers.

Because of the testing ban and with all the teams either in or about to start a two-week factory shutdown, most rivals are highly unlikely to be willing to agree to the request, which was made by team sporting director Massimo Rivolva.

Renault has already agreed, but then a cynical view might be that Flavio Briatore has an interest in the European GP and would not want to damage Schumacher’s chances of taking part. In addition he may well be dealing with Ferrari with regard to the future of Fernando Alonso.

However the consensus among other teams may be that Ferrari had the choice to take a driver with more recent experience – including its own test drivers who at least are familiar with the 2009 car – but decided against it.

Ferrari’s letter, sent to all the team managers and subsequently seen by SPEEDtv.com, reads as follows:

‘Subject: Request for MSC

‘Dear All,

‘As you are all aware of Michael Schumacher has accepted to evaluate the possibility to replace Felipe Massa until he will be able to compete again in the Championship.
‘Michael has however been away from F1 racing and from any kind of car racing since 2006 with the exception of a limited amount of testing for us in 2007.

‘In order to properly evaluate the possibility for his comeback we are therefore herewith requesting all competitors to the 2009 Championship as well as the FIA for the possibility to perform one day of official testing before the Valencia Grand Prix in derogation to Art. 22.1 c) of the 2009 Sporting Regulations and of the Testing Agreement. We would be grateful if you could confirm your agreement to the aforesaid.

‘With kind regards,
‘Massimo Rivola
‘Direttore Sportivo – Sporting Director’

Schumacher was already testing the older car at Mugello on Friday.

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Adam Cooper

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