Schumacher enjoys trouble-free day of testing with Ferrari

©Ferrari

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Mick Schumacher was in action on Thursday in Fiorano, the Haas driver warming up for his maiden F1 season as scheduled onboard Ferrari's SF71H.

Schumacher took over the Scuderia's 2018-spec car from Carlos Sainz, having last driven the SF71H back in September at a Ferrari Driver Academy test at Fiorano.

The young German, who saddled a Ferrari F1 car for the fifth time in his career, put over 50 laps under his belt, undertaking a program devised by the Italian outfit that unfolded without a hitch.

©Ferrari

"Finally sitting in a race car again is a feeling I was missing a lot," Schumacher commented. "I think today has definitely been a positive day at the track.

"We managed to get through the entire programme that we had scheduled without any problems and it was clearly very useful to be able to get through so much mileage at the wheel of a car in view of the coming season that will be starting in about a month and a half with the pre-season testing.

"The SF71H is a car from 2018 but its behaviour on the track and the feelings that it gives to the driver are very similar, both in terms of how it behaves on the track and physical stress.

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"That makes it an excellent base when it comes to preparation for the new season. Driving at Fiorano is always great anyway because the track is technical and demanding.

"It’s been a pleasure to meet up once again with the engineers and mechanics I worked with last September and I can’t wait to get back into the car tomorrow."

Schumacher will complete his test program on Friday morning before handing over his mount to Callum Ilott who will conclude Ferrari's week of testing.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.