Barcelona, May 07: Ferrari have dismissed claims by their rivals that their new Formula One car is not a dramatic improvement over its predecessor.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis said the new F2003-GA, which won on its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, was "not a big step". Williams technical director Patrick Head was also encouraged that the new Ferrari had not moved the F1 goalposts as much as some feared.
Michael Schumacher won the race at the Circuit de Catalunya from pole position, but he was chased hard all the way by Renault's rising star Fernando Alonso. But Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt said his team's car had lived up to their expectations.

"Maybe they were disappointed but we were not disappointed," said the Frenchman. "There is a lot to come from the car yet.
"I am very happy with its performance. It went perfectly well, the first race with the 2003-GA, finishing first and third (with Rubens Barrichello) and catching 16 points to our major competitor in the manufacturers championship and 10 points for Michael in the drivers.



"We still know where the strengths of the car are, where the weaknesses are and we have a lot of development.



"We were at the end of the development with the F2002 and we are starting to develop the 2003-GA. Saying that, knowing the potential of the car, it was crucial to finish the race and so we did, so it was very encouraging."



Despite Alonso's pace in Spain, Todt said he still expected McLaren to be Ferrari's main rivals this season. McLaren have yet to introduce their new car, which will not appear until the Canadian Grand Prix in June at the earliest.



"It's still McLaren-Mercedes, because we will soon see McLaren with a new car and we know they are strong on all the circuits," he said.



Todt said he had expected Alonso and Renault to be quick at the Circuit de Catalunya, but added that the French team's package will not match Ferrari or McLaren throughout the season.



"We knew they would be quick, we saw they were going to be strong and the car has very good potential on this kind of circuit," Todt added. "I think they had very good tyres and Alonso did a very good job. Definitely they made a good step forward, but I don't think it will be the same everywhere."


Bureau Report