Massa to debut new Ferrari

Felipe Massa will be the first man to drive the 2013 Ferrari Formula One car. The Brazilian will drive for the first three days of the first pre-season test in Jerez, Spain, starting on 5 February, before handing over to new Ferrari test driver Pedro de la Rosa for the final day of the Jerez test. Fernando Alonso will not feature until the second test in Barcelona starting on 19 February.

While Massa and De la Rosa are testing in Jerez, Alonso will be focusing on his physical training in advance of another long, demanding season. The Spaniard should not suffer from a lack of testing, however, as the schedule has been arranged for him to complete most of the second test in Barcelona before sharing the final test with Massa.

Ferrari are emphasising the importance of Pedro de la Rosa’s test day in Jerez, as it will assist him with the simulator work that forms the major part of his testing role.

The team confirmed yesterday that the engine in the new car was fired up for the first time on 23 February and that the work of assembling the car is progressing well.

The full Ferrari driver schedule for pre-season testing is: