Schumacher

LONDON -- World champion Michael Schumacher has backed Ferrari's decision to start the new season with last year's car.

The German set two record laps during the first three days of testing in the new F2002, but Ferrari announced it would go into the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 3 with last year's F2001.

Schumacher, the only driver to test the new car, welcomed the decision to err on the side of caution and start with the F2001.

"I think it is a reasonable decision," he said following a testing session Saturday. "The team can be very relaxed because last year's car is very good and very strong.

"It (the 2001 car) has been competitive in testing so there is no reason to take any silly and unnecessary risks.

"The most important thing in the first race is to finish, because points from the beginning of the season can be decisive when it comes to the end."

Ferrari's decision came after a stressful test for the car at the Mugello circuit in Italy, and a team insider admitted there have been problems with the revolutionary machine.

"We knew it could be a different story in Mugello," the source said. "We have had slight problems but also there has been very bad weather."

Schumacher said it was crucial for Ferrari get the problems with the new car smoothed out as soon as possible.

"We have continued development on the F2002 so as to be ready as soon as possible with the new car," he said.

"Certainly the feeling I got was positive. It is the first time we have been able to work continuously with the F2002 at this circuit."

Schumacher will continue testing the new car on Monday when he takes to the track at Imola along with his teammate Rubens Barrichello and test driver Luca Badoer.