Mika Salo and the Finnish press are intrigued as the former F1 driver prepares to test a modern Ferrari later this month.<\/p>\n
Newspapers Ilta and Turun Sanomat, and the broadcaster MTV3, report that the 45-year-old former Toyota driver has been drafted in to test a Ferrari at Suzuka.<\/p>\n
On the face of it, Salo’s drive is simply a case of his old employer – the Finn replaced the injured Michael Schumacher in 1999 – inviting a former driver to the Ferrari Racing Days event at the Japanese grand prix venue.<\/p>\n
But “I was very surprised when they called me,” Salo admitted, “because I haven’t been seriously involved in formula one for ten years.<\/p>\n
“I tried to ask them if this is just a ‘show run’ drive, but they have given me no more information than that,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They have Giancarlo Fisichella, Marc Gene and Andrea Bertolini (as test drivers), so it’s not exactly clear to me why they are not driving.”<\/p>\n
Salo’s Suzuka run will take place on the weekend of the season opening Australian grand prix, reportedly at the wheel of a 2010 car — the newest F1 car able to be driven within the sport’s strict testing ban.<\/p>\n
MTV3 analyst Erkki Mustakari speculated that, amid Ferrari’s pre-season struggles with the uncompetitive new F2012 car, the team is deploying more than its full complement of test drivers in a panic bid to solve the problems.<\/p>\n
“If it’s an emergency then it may be time to try something very different,” he said.<\/p>\n
At the very least, Salo has sensed the importance of his new role, confirming he is “training like mad” to strengthen his neck and lose a few pounds.<\/p>\n
“This is not any old thing, but a two-day test,” he revealed.<\/p>\n
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