The Ferrari team has announced that they will keep Eddie Irvine as their second driver for the 1998 season. They said: "The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces they have exercised the existing option with the Grand Prix driver Eddie Irvine in respect of the 1998 sporting season."
Irvine showed himself very relieved after the news: "I'm happy and now I'll be able to concentrate better on the races which lie ahead."
Irvine knows he will always come second next to Michael Schumacher: "I'll continue to help the team win the world title. We're always improving and at this point the team is even ready for next season and I'm certain that we'll work even better."
Villeneuve clocked a 1m 21.83s. Boullion, who was testing the 1998 car again came to a best time of 1m 29.48s.
Both Herbert and Morbidelli were preparing for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the circuit today. Herbert drove a 1m 01.53s while Morbidelli did a 1m 02.25s.
Irvine drove a 1m 25.38s in the Ferrari.
He stated: "I think I can have a good race in Hungary. It will be very important to get a good grid position at the Hungaroring. If I can start near the front then a very good result should be possible, given that our car is always goes better in the race than in qualifying."
Coulthard was the fastest man on the track today with a 1m 33.89s. Verstappen was second with a time of 1m 35.56s. But all teams were hampered by bad weather.
Verstappen also got his first drive in the 1998 Tyrrell prototype. He is the first driver who was very pleased about the way the car drove.
Alesi was practising his starts. Martin Brundle will shake down the Benetton cars to be used in the Hungarian Grand Prix tomorrow.