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http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8137615%5E1702,00.html
MICHAEL Schumacher's Ferrari was outshone by an Italian Air Force fighter jet today.
Driving his F2003-GA in which he won the Formula One world title for a record sixth time, Schumacher lost 2-1 over three distances - 600, 900 and 1200 metres - against a Eurofighter Typhoon in a duel designed to bring the full acceleration range of both machines into play.
The jet, piloted by former Italian astronaut Maurizio Cheli and which can only stay on the ground for the first 400 metres, occupied the main runway at the Baccarini airport, 140 kilometres from Rome, while the Ferrari raced alongside it on an asphalt track.
http://www.ferrari.com/images/grosseto/manifesto.jpg
Schumacher edged the Eurofighter over the shortest distance but was no match for the jet's superior acceleration in the final two races watched by thousands of spectators in the driving rain.
"It was a very interesting experience," Schumacher said. "I was glad to be here today - it was very impressive.
Asked if he preferred racing against a jet to competing against Juan Pablo Montoya, the 34-year-old German replied: "It's less pressure!"
The F2003-GA is capable of reaching a maximum speed of up to 370 kilometres per hour, while the Eurofighter, packed with military technology, can speed at almost 2450 km/h.
The jet carried no weapons and weighed slightly under 21,000 kilograms. The Ferrari weighed in at 600kg and was slighly modified for the race with its outer shell ajusted slightly to make it more aerodynamic.
The contest was designed to provide maximum equilibrium between the two contestants in a reenactment of a challenge that first took place in 1931 when Tazio Nuvolari, driving an Alfa Romeo, took on a Caproni 100 biplane at Rome airport.
Fifty years later, in November 1981, Gilles Villeneuve and his Ferrari 126 CK raced an F104 jet.
Most recently, Patrick Carpentier challenged an F14 Tomcat with his CART Champ Car in the United States.
Agence France-Presse
MICHAEL Schumacher's Ferrari was outshone by an Italian Air Force fighter jet today.
Driving his F2003-GA in which he won the Formula One world title for a record sixth time, Schumacher lost 2-1 over three distances - 600, 900 and 1200 metres - against a Eurofighter Typhoon in a duel designed to bring the full acceleration range of both machines into play.
The jet, piloted by former Italian astronaut Maurizio Cheli and which can only stay on the ground for the first 400 metres, occupied the main runway at the Baccarini airport, 140 kilometres from Rome, while the Ferrari raced alongside it on an asphalt track.
http://www.ferrari.com/images/grosseto/manifesto.jpg
Schumacher edged the Eurofighter over the shortest distance but was no match for the jet's superior acceleration in the final two races watched by thousands of spectators in the driving rain.
"It was a very interesting experience," Schumacher said. "I was glad to be here today - it was very impressive.
Asked if he preferred racing against a jet to competing against Juan Pablo Montoya, the 34-year-old German replied: "It's less pressure!"
The F2003-GA is capable of reaching a maximum speed of up to 370 kilometres per hour, while the Eurofighter, packed with military technology, can speed at almost 2450 km/h.
The jet carried no weapons and weighed slightly under 21,000 kilograms. The Ferrari weighed in at 600kg and was slighly modified for the race with its outer shell ajusted slightly to make it more aerodynamic.
The contest was designed to provide maximum equilibrium between the two contestants in a reenactment of a challenge that first took place in 1931 when Tazio Nuvolari, driving an Alfa Romeo, took on a Caproni 100 biplane at Rome airport.
Fifty years later, in November 1981, Gilles Villeneuve and his Ferrari 126 CK raced an F104 jet.
Most recently, Patrick Carpentier challenged an F14 Tomcat with his CART Champ Car in the United States.
Agence France-Presse
