Wednesday February 16th, 2000

Ferrari resumed its testing today at the Mugello track, where testing began at 09:30 in rainy conditions.

Rubens Barrichello was the first to start driving, at the wheel of a F399. His first job was to get to know the circuit, no easy task given the fact it was raining. At the end of the day, Rubens said: "The last time I drove on this track was eight years ago in a F3000 car. I reckon this first learning day was useful, but it was a shame it was raining. I am happy with what I did today in the F399 and I cannot wait to drive this track in the new F1-2000."

At 15:00 Michael Schumacher started driving in the F1-2000, the first time he had done so in the wet and he made some changes to the set-up. After the test he said, "The car's handling is good, even in the wet. As far as I'm concerned, this season has got off to a far better start than last year, because at this time last year we had a problem setting the car up in the wet. I think that now our biggest problems are behind us. There are bound to be a few little niggles, but there is time enough to sort them out. My neck is not hurting anymore and the stiffness has gone."

Schumacher ran 35 laps in the F1-2000, setting a best time of 1:32.435. Barrichello ran 41 laps in the F399, setting a best time of 1:35.683.

Testing ended at 18:00 and continues tomorrow, with both Schumacher and Barrichello.