Last year's model for Ferrari

Motor racing

Michael Schumacher was forced to drive last year's Ferrari in yesterday's test session at Estoril. With the first race of the season in Adelaide less than three weeks away, the absence of the new F310 was not a good sign for the world champion or the Italian team.

Since the new car's launch last week, there have been reports of a fragile gearbox casing and minor engine problems giving cause for concern. Ferrari technicians remained tight-lipped about the new car's non-appearance, although it was intimated the car might arrive later in the week.

Jordan-Peugeot dominated yesterday's test session around the twisting 2.701-mile Estoril track. Britain's Martin Brundle posted the fastest time of 1min 21.17sec, just two-tenths of a second quicker than team-mate Rubens Barrichello of Brazil.

The Williams-Renaults of Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve were third and fourth fastest, lapping in 1:21.24 and 1:21.44 respectively.