Zoom From the rains of Europe to the sunshine of Bahrain

The Ferrari F60 is back on the track today at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain, the first of eight days of testing for the Maranello-based team which concludes on 19th February.

Felipe Massa will be behind the wheel until Wednesday, followed by Kimi Raikkonen on Thursday and Friday. Next week Raikkonen will be on the track Monday, 16th and Tuesday 17th, with Massa behind the wheel the two final days. BMW Sauber and Toyota will join Ferrari on the track.

The F60 has been fitted with some minor updates, especially on its two wings, otherwise it is configured as it was presented during the test sessions at Mugello last month.

Since the last test the team has been working with the simulator at the FIAT research centre with Marc Gené, Andrea Bertolini and Gimmi Bruni in an attempt to gain further knowledge of the new car and the behaviour of the 2009 slick tyres.

Meanwhile at Maranello the team analysed the data collected to date and worked on the test bed and developed new aerodynamic solutions which are now scheduled to be used at the first Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The test session at Sakhir are expected to be intense as with this year's tests are limited there are just 16 days left until the Championship starts and therefore it will be fundamental to make the best use out of the remaining time. Under this aspect Ferrari decided, like over the last years, to test at the Bahrain circuit, considering the better weather conditions compared to Europe.

Furthermore the temperatures will be above 20°C, which will enable the team to examine the car's reliability and verify the tyres behaviour under conditions similar to those expected in race conditions.

E.A. © CAPSIS International