Nicola Larini test helmet used in 1997 while testing the future Ferrari F300. Comes signed.
Fiorano, 30 December '97
Nicola Larini completed the 'pre-test' of Ferrari for 1998. The test driver of the red Maranello, who will be replaced in the next season by Luca Badoer, has completed today 39 laps, bringing to 71 laps made by the newborn 649 (this is the provisional acronym of the single-seater that will race the next world championship) from being put on track (2 from Schumacher and the others from the Emilia). Today, Larini performed ten laps with the wet tires at the Fiorano circuit, 19 with the 'slick' version 1997 and ten with the sculpted covers to be used from this season. As in the other two days of testing at Maranello, the lap times did not show up, but from the now famous 'posting' on the overpass, it was clear that Larini tried to squeeze the car a little bit. Now the new Ferrari will go into the garage and, after a hand of red and some slight changes, will be presented to the press and to all the fans, on January 7th. After that date, the duo Schumacher-Irvine will take over the development work with the support of Badoer.
