Ferrari #1 Michael Schumacher gave the new F2004 its track debut toda꧒y [Friday] at Fiorano, the German reporting that it behaved 'very well straight out of the box'.

Following on from his three days at Valenica, in last year's car, the F2003-GA, Schumi completed 34 laps, his best a 56.835 seconds, a time according to reports by Italian newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport, which meant it had gone faster than 🥃any other new Ferrari car on its debut.

For the record the quickest lap at Fiorano is a 56.338s, set l💞ast March by Schumacher in the F2003-GA.

Reflecting on what Ferrari branded 'a special day', the German was very positive about his first laps behind the whe༺el of the Scuderi🍸a's latest machine.

"I am quite happy with the first testing day of our new car," said the six ꦅtimes F1 world champion, "I immediately had a feeling 💮for it. The F2004 was handling very well straight out of the box and we achieved good and consistent lap times.

"Personally I find it nice to have such good news and see such good mood on the bi🍬rthday of our president🦄's daughter Maria."

Test driver Luca Bad🎃oer meanwhile was also in action, the Italian carrying out an electronics programme at the wheel of an F2003-GA. Badoer completed 79 laps, the quickest in 57.311s.

Testing continues at this track tomorrow [Saturday], again with ꦿSchumacher and Badoer driving an𒆙 F2004 and an F2003-GA respectively.