Schumacher's wings clipped by Eurofighter jet
GROSSETO, Italy (Reuters) - Michael Schumacher won a record sixth Formula One title last season but he met his match in a series of exhibition races against a Eurofighter jet on Thursday.
The aeroplane, piloted by former Italian astronaut Maurizio Cheli, has a top speed of nearly 2,500 kph and becomes airborne after 400 metres.
On paper, it looked like a mismatch, especially after Schumacher lost all three practice races on Wednesday.
Even on the damp and slippery runway of Grosseto's Baccarini airport, however, Schumacher's world championship-winning Ferrari F2003-GA posted superior acceleration.
The German won the opening sprint over 600 metres, flashing across the line half a car length ahead of the jet in front of thousands of spectators in the small Tuscan city.
In the second race, however, over 1,200 metres, Schumacher quickly fell behind when the aeroplane roared into the sky and the German was also beaten in the 900-metre decider.
Asked how racing against the jet compared to driving against his Formula One rivals, Schumacher said: "There's a lot less pressure for sure, though this is a very interesting experience."
Read the rest at: Reuters Article 11th Dec. 2003
In-depth feature: Ferrari World News Feature
:cat2 Christmas fun eh? Dad racer (!)
Gallery: Ferrari.com
GROSSETO, Italy (Reuters) - Michael Schumacher won a record sixth Formula One title last season but he met his match in a series of exhibition races against a Eurofighter jet on Thursday.
The aeroplane, piloted by former Italian astronaut Maurizio Cheli, has a top speed of nearly 2,500 kph and becomes airborne after 400 metres.
On paper, it looked like a mismatch, especially after Schumacher lost all three practice races on Wednesday.
Even on the damp and slippery runway of Grosseto's Baccarini airport, however, Schumacher's world championship-winning Ferrari F2003-GA posted superior acceleration.
The German won the opening sprint over 600 metres, flashing across the line half a car length ahead of the jet in front of thousands of spectators in the small Tuscan city.
In the second race, however, over 1,200 metres, Schumacher quickly fell behind when the aeroplane roared into the sky and the German was also beaten in the 900-metre decider.
Asked how racing against the jet compared to driving against his Formula One rivals, Schumacher said: "There's a lot less pressure for sure, though this is a very interesting experience."
Read the rest at: Reuters Article 11th Dec. 2003
In-depth feature: Ferrari World News Feature
:cat2 Christmas fun eh? Dad racer (!)
Gallery: Ferrari.com
