Mar.12 (GMM) Ex-Formula 1 driver Mika Salo has now played down his two-day test for Ferrari which is scheduled for this weekend in Japan.
It emerged last week that the 45-year-old Finn, who in 1999 stood in for Ferrari’s injured Michael Schumacher, would test the Maranello team’s single seater at the Suzuka circuit.
A spokesman insisted that Salo is simply appearing as a guest during the Ferrari Racing Days event, but media speculation hinted he is playing a more crucial role amid the famous team’s struggle to improve its new F2012.
“The news media got a bit out of hand,” Salo told Finnish broadcaster MTV3.
“It’s only a two day test for me in last year’s car. If you think about it rationally, there is no benefit for the F1 team.
“I am 45 years old and haven’t driven a single metre [in a F1 car] for ten years — I could not give any useable feedback,” he insisted.