LONDON -- Formula One world champions Ferrari will start the 2002 season with last year's F2001 vehicle because of reliability fears over its new car, the team's sporting director Jean Todt has said.

Germany's Michael Schumacher has been satisfied with the performance of the new F2002 in testing, but Todt said the old car would be used in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 3.

"The new car has proved to be very quick right from the start, but we do not have sufficient time at our disposal to be entirely sure about its total reliability for the first round of the season," said Todt on the team's official web site.

"Therefore, we have decided to go to Melbourne with the F2001 which, even in this winter's tests, has proved to be very competitive and reliable.

"We think it will be able to bring home valuable points for the championship. Next week, we will continue our on-track development of the F2002, as well as fine-tuning the F2001 for the first race."

Earlier this week, Schumacher hinted he was ready to use the new car in Melbourne next month, but Ferrari made the decision to use the F2001 on Friday.

"The new car's debut was very promising," the four-time world champion said Monday. "I had a good feeling the first moment I was driving the F2002."

Schumacher, meanwhile, had his testing schedule in the F2002 thwarted by rain at Mugello on Friday.

The German is so far the only driver to take to the track in the new car.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, he took the opportunity to perform practice starts and will hope for better weather when he returns to action in the new car Saturday.