BRITISH GP - MASSA: 'THIS TRACK COULD SUIT OUR CAR'
Company press release.
Silverstone, 27 June – Coming into the British Grand Prix weekend, there has been talk about this fast and flowing track suiting the F138 well and it appears that Felipe Massa agrees with that verdict, according to what he had to say when he met the media in the Scuderia Ferrari hospitality unit this afternoon. 'Looking at Barcelona and China, we were competitive there and this track here is similar in terms of having fast corners and an abrasive track surface which dictates the tyre choice,' he began. 'So I think it could suit our car, but as usual on a Thursday, we must wait and see. Looking at the points situation, it is important to have a good race here and in fact from now to the end of the year is very important for us to do so, so I hope we have a great weekend.'
The Brazilian has not had much luck in this event, never finding a way to the podium, but that hasn't dulled his enjoyment of the English circuit. 'I've finished fourth twice, but this is a circuit where I really enjoy to race and in general, I prefer these old types of track, along with Spa and Suzuka,' said the Brazilian. I am really optimistic that we can have a good race and aim for my first podium at this track.'
It's no secret that one element of the package that would really improve Felipe's and Alonso's chances would be to start from higher up the grid and he admitted that more work was needed on this front. 'I think everything is still possible in terms of the championship, because in the end, the races count for more than qualifying, but then qualifying is very important in order to have a good race, starting from the front to finish at the front. We are working very hard to make the car more competitive in qualifying, without losing the attributes we have in the race. That's not easy, finding the complete package in a car.'
Mark Webber's announcement that he will quit Formula 1 at the end of the season was the big news of the day and Felipe had this to say about the Australian's decision. 'A driver should do what he feels he must do and I completely respect his decision, as he feels this is the time to do something a bit different. I always think that in our job, you have two lives, the first in Formula 1 and then after that a new life begins with a new career. Mark has chosen his moment and each and everyone one of us will have to face that moment at some time.' The response naturally led to a question about his own future and when a decision regarding 2014 might come. 'I don't think it will take too much time, maybe around the time the first part of this season comes to an end,' replied the Ferrari man. 'I think I have a good chance of staying here. We must work and get good results, because in the end your results in the races are what count the most. I am completely confident about the races from now until the end of the season. I don't know what I will do when I stop Formula 1, but I will want to race. I'm not sure about the series that includes Le Mans, because of racing different types of car where there might be a time difference of 20 seconds per lap. Maybe I'd prefer shorter races where you fight from beginning to end, like DTM maybe. But I have no idea when I will decide to stop so I hope I still have some more years here to fight for more victories and championships.'
Silverstone, 27 June – Coming into the British Grand Prix weekend, there has been talk about this fast and flowing track suiting the F138 well and it appears that Felipe Massa agrees with that verdict, according to what he had to say when he met the media in the Scuderia Ferrari hospitality unit this afternoon. 'Looking at Barcelona and China, we were competitive there and this track here is similar in terms of having fast corners and an abrasive track surface which dictates the tyre choice,' he began. 'So I think it could suit our car, but as usual on a Thursday, we must wait and see. Looking at the points situation, it is important to have a good race here and in fact from now to the end of the year is very important for us to do so, so I hope we have a great weekend.'
The Brazilian has not had much luck in this event, never finding a way to the podium, but that hasn't dulled his enjoyment of the English circuit. 'I've finished fourth twice, but this is a circuit where I really enjoy to race and in general, I prefer these old types of track, along with Spa and Suzuka,' said the Brazilian. I am really optimistic that we can have a good race and aim for my first podium at this track.'
It's no secret that one element of the package that would really improve Felipe's and Alonso's chances would be to start from higher up the grid and he admitted that more work was needed on this front. 'I think everything is still possible in terms of the championship, because in the end, the races count for more than qualifying, but then qualifying is very important in order to have a good race, starting from the front to finish at the front. We are working very hard to make the car more competitive in qualifying, without losing the attributes we have in the race. That's not easy, finding the complete package in a car.'
Mark Webber's announcement that he will quit Formula 1 at the end of the season was the big news of the day and Felipe had this to say about the Australian's decision. 'A driver should do what he feels he must do and I completely respect his decision, as he feels this is the time to do something a bit different. I always think that in our job, you have two lives, the first in Formula 1 and then after that a new life begins with a new career. Mark has chosen his moment and each and everyone one of us will have to face that moment at some time.' The response naturally led to a question about his own future and when a decision regarding 2014 might come. 'I don't think it will take too much time, maybe around the time the first part of this season comes to an end,' replied the Ferrari man. 'I think I have a good chance of staying here. We must work and get good results, because in the end your results in the races are what count the most. I am completely confident about the races from now until the end of the season. I don't know what I will do when I stop Formula 1, but I will want to race. I'm not sure about the series that includes Le Mans, because of racing different types of car where there might be a time difference of 20 seconds per lap. Maybe I'd prefer shorter races where you fight from beginning to end, like DTM maybe. But I have no idea when I will decide to stop so I hope I still have some more years here to fight for more victories and championships.'
