Feb.23 (GMM) Ferrari's technical director has tempered expectations that the Italian team is set to utterly dominate the forthcoming Australian grand prix with its 2008 specification car.

Maranello based Ferrari has undoubtedly been the performance standout of the winter period, even though McLaren seemed to have pegged back the gap as the top two teams tested head-to-head in Barcelona this past week.

But despite the apparent superior pace of the F2008 single seater, it has encountered the odd reliability glitch recently -- including on Saturday, when Ferrari tested alone at the Circuit de Catalunya.

In the middle of a full simulation, test driver Luca Badoer had to 'retire' his 2008 model with an oil leak, the Scuderia confirmed.

"That means we still have some work to do to be ready for the race in Melbourne," said Aldo Costa, technical boss.

"It's enough that one detail is not right to destroy the whole race," he added.