According to the regular press releases, everyone is having a great time out in the desert at present.

On Thursday, "over 1,500 people" passed through the turnstiles of the Bahrain International Circuit, allowing many of them to "get up close and personal with the stars of the forthcoming Grand Prix".

In addition to getting to see six drivers in action, "over 200 happy spectators left the circuit with the drivers' signatures", following an autograph session.

For one lucky four-year-old fan, referred to as 'George', the day was made complete when he "happened to find himself face-to-face with his hero Michael Schumacher in the pit lane and challenged him to a game of football".

"It was fun!" said the youngster, according to the press release. "Michael is my favourite driver. He thought I was good and I scored a goal."

We have no doubt that for 'George' it was indeed fun, and the memory of a kick about with a seven-time world Champion is one he will cherish forever.

Whether Michael Schumacher, or Ferrari, thought it was fun, we do not know.

Ferrari's (testing) press release, like those of several other teams, give little away, other than the weather, number of laps completed, best time, and occasionally, as on Wednesday, a brief reference to a "mechanical problem".

The fact is however, that Ferrari has committed itself to a mammoth test in Bahrain, much of it running solo, and therefore unable to judge its progress compared to the opposition.

Furthermore, since his arrival in the desert, Michael Schumacher has completed just 60 laps (201 miles), with only two further tests planned before the start of the season.

The timesheets tell us that, between them, Felipe Massa and Luca Badoer, have completed 321 laps in Bahrain, that's almost 1100 miles (1700 kms). Furthermore, they have both topped the timesheets.

However, the Italian and the Brazilian have been at the wheel of the V10 powered F2004, not the 2006, so there is little reason to celebrate their 'achievements'. When Massa did run the 248 F1 - on Monday and Tuesday - he was over 0.6s off the F2004's pace, but more worryingly, behind both Hondas.

It is understood that the Italian team is introducing a new aerodynamic package this weekend, which will hopefully see an increase in pace, while the "mechanical problem(s)", largely believed to be due to excessive vibration from the V8, will also be resolved.

However, one has to question the precise reason for this test, which, on the surface, appears to be as much about PR as anything else.

The fact is, the 248 F1 hasn't set the world alight, and there is serious concern that the Maranello outfit is devoting too much time to the V10 powered F2004, which unlike the 2002 Arrows and V10 Cosworth, will not be eligible in Bahrain in three weeks.