http://www.f1central.net/news/1101162140.html?PHPSESSID=d257d8094479fdbc25ecd0c5c069a737 Not a bad idea, hiring a guy with buckets of BMW/Michelin experience. Also a pretty good idea in the face of 10-day testing. Who else but Ferrari would shrug at this and double their test team in response? The rest of the grid let out a collective, "DOH!" in response. I love Ferrari
same thoughts i had....cant you just hear todt now...'fewer testing days? ok double the test team. and while your at it get somebody with about 15 million michelin miles' mission accomplished. ferrari 1, rest of field -1
Yeah, I can just see Gene sitting there going, "Williams or Ferrari? Williams? Ferrari! FERRARI! Pinch me to make sure I'm not dreaming!" Jim
Yeah, it must be like X-mas and birthday wrapped into one for him. And as others said, Ferrari gets the Michelin and BMW inside view for free. However they don't get much more than that. I'm no big Gene fan and frankly would have thought that DC would have made for a better test driver (who would also have brought the Michelin experience and the Merc view).
Maybe DC will be test driver for Williams now or the third test driver for Ferrari . I think Gene will help Bridgestone with improving the only two weaknesses compared to Michelin: - Sluggish performance on cold tires - Low grip on slick surfaces with dry tires
Here are a few pix showing the 05 spec front wing vs 04 spec front wing Badoer testing with 05 front wing http://images.f1racing.net/large/37519.jpg Gene testing with 04 front wing http://images.f1racing.net/large/37510.jpg note the ride height difference http://www.f1total.com/bilder/2004/tests/04barc04/z060.jpg
If somebody could post pictures of Gene's helmet as a Ferrari driver, I'd appreciate that. I'm trying to paint one of my model cars accordingly. Gene changed the helmet design btw now that he is with Ferrari.
Here is another angle so you can get a better look at Genes helmut http://www.f1total.com/bilder/2004/tests/04barc04/z006.jpg
Thanks. I'm really looking for one of the back part of the helmet. There is a whitle diagonal line, but I don't know what's behind that.
The circuit of Catalunya is located few miles from home so I went there to live the emotive moment when my Catalan pal Marc Genè emerged from SF box wearing the smart scarlet livery of Maranello for first time to stop the watch before his illustre adversaries and just 6/10 of sec. further on than MS lap record earlier this year . At the end of the session he looked calm as usual but he actually was very thrilled with the driving experience. He commented that wearing red overalls was a dream come true and admited the cavallino was faster and easier to drive than his previous horse. Has found the team organisation similar to is former employer and the workforce very friendly although much louder, as one expects from a Italian scuderia.
That's an interesting shot: It shows that the sponsors haven't been painted on, but are just decals. I guess time was of the essence.