Michael Schumacher says Ferrari is gearing up for an all-out assault at Imola. Ferrari is preparing a significant upgrade for its first home Grand Prix of 2006. The red car driven by Michael Schumacher at Imola later this month will boast better aerodynamics, a stronger V8 engine with revised pistons, new front and rear suspension and new Bridgestone tyres. ”We are going to work flat out for three weeks,” Schumacher vowed. The 37-year-old will test the new Imola-spec package next week at Barcelona. Ferrari Principal Jean Todt said: ”I think we can be competitive at Imola — exactly how competitive, we will find out. ”Much depends on the other teams. We will have a significant upgrade in Imola, but we will not be the only ones.”
The seven-time champion, who crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix having struggled for pace on cold tyres, said that his performance in Melbourne is not representative of Ferrari’s competitive level in 2006. “performances like that of this weekend are not our objective,” said Schumacher. “This year is completely different,” he said. “This time we are much more competitive and our all-round package is much better than it appears. However, in the course of this weekend we did not show this. Schumacher’s best result of 2005, (Indianapolis notwithstanding) came at Imola where he fought a close battle with eventual winner Fernando Alonso. The German fully expects to be able to reproduce that form when F1 returns to the Italian track on April 23. “For Imola we will have improved aerodynamics and there will be modifications to the engine so things should go better,” he said. “We will be preparing intensively over the next few weeks in view of the event.”
Few circuits inspire the same adoration for motorsport as Imola. The circuit lies in the heart of Ferrari country and is a stone’s throw from both Modena and Maranello. It is the home of the tifosi and a place of pilgrimage for any fan of Italian motorsport. The track has seen some memorable races over the years and although it is in Italy, the circuit plays host to the San Marino Grand Prix. 1982 saw one of the most legendary races in Formula One history. Villeneuve was killed in a horrifying accident in qualifying. In 1994 the high speed Tamburello corner claimed the life of one of Formula One’s greatest drivers, Ayrton Senna. The race itself saw collisions, stray tyres in the pit lane, and, most tragically, the death of Senna. Despite the events of 1994, Imola has retained some of its magic. It is still a marvellous circuit with corners such as Acque Minerale providing real challenges for the modern Formula One driver. The atmosphere created by the tifosi is unlike anything on earth. They live and breathe Ferrari and give Imola a special type of magic you won’t find anywhere else. #,#,# .