2013 Abu Dhabi News&Team quotes.

[Rob]

Abu Dhabi GP – The understudies.

Maranello, 29 October – They will both be there in the Yas Marina Paddock, smartly turned out in Scuderia Ferrari team kit, taking part in technical meetings with the race team, talking to guests and giving interviews to the press. No, it’s not Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, but Marc Gene and Pedro de la Rosa. It’s a similar job description to the race drivers, except that, unless something prevented Fernando or Felipe from competing, they will never get to drive. However, Marc Gene and Pedro de la Rosa are an integral part of the team and rather like an iceberg, the part of them you see is the smallest one, as their work for the Scuderia goes way beyond their duties at the track. “I am a test driver, as is Pedro, albeit with slightly different roles,” explains Marc. “I work with the team and attend all the meetings and Grands Prix, but I also do work with other Ferrari departments, such as Corse Clienti and have a role as an expert with Italian TV. I also do most of the show runs with the F1 car and I work with the Ferrari markets around the world.”

“I am also a test driver and I travel to all the Grands Prix,” adds Pedro, taking up the narrative. “If anything should happen to one of the race drivers I have to be ready to jump into a car to replace them. However the biggest contribution I make is back in Maranello, where I am part of the development programme in the simulator, together with Andrea Bertolini and Davide Rigon. Together we work on developing not only the simulator, but also the F138 and next year’s car as well.”

This week, they will be working alongside the rest of the team in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina circuit and Pedro especially is well placed to talk about the track, as he has raced around the 5.554 kilometre track in Formula 1. “I love the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina track,” enthuses the Spaniard, who competed in 107 Grands Prix. “It’s beautiful with no bumps and very flat, so you can run the car as low as you want at the front. The asphalt is very smooth and it’s very easy on the tyres, so sometimes you can struggle to get them up to temperature. The two first sectors are very similar, with top speed, hard braking and chicanes and the F138 will be quite competitive at this point on the track. Then, for the third sector with more low speed turns, you need a very high downforce set up. With the 5pm start, you begin the race in daylight and then gradually during the race it starts to get night, so you set your visor tear-offs to have different tones to adapt to the changing light conditions.”

Gene, who drove in 36 Grands Prix and has won the Le Mans 24 Hours also finds this an interesting track. “Yas Marina is a typical standard Hermann Tilke track, which means it has a bit of everything,” reckons the Spaniard. “It has a first sector with some quite high speed corners that actually suit our car quite well as does the second sector, where there are the two longest straights. The last sector is probably the most difficult for us where traction is very important. That’s the part of the circuit people remember, as the track goes under the hotel, which is not something you do so often as a Formula 1 driver and you are aware that the noise level at that point in the car is very high.”

Gene and De la Rosa have worked together for a while now and are something of a double act when it comes to interviews, bouncing off one another. Asked what they recall about the first time they drove a Prancing Horse F1 car, Marc is the first to jump in. “I drove one much earlier than Pedro, even though I am much younger than him. I drove it at the end of 2004. That year we had a great car, maybe the best Formula 1 car in history. The drive was in Barcelona so I was driving at home, which meant it couldn’t have been better than driving a World Championship winning car in my home town. I will never forget it.” As Marc said, I had my first drive much later, but the important thing is not your age, it’s how you look! jokes Pedro. “My first ever test with Ferrari was in Jerez this year in February and obviously it’s something you never forget. It was not an easy test as, on the installation lap the car caught fire, and we lost half the day. The mechanics did a fantastic job to rebuild the car and we managed over 50 laps by the end of the day. My baptism with Ferrari was really one of fire! But it was still an unbelievable experience and I can remember being impressed by the grip level of the car. Prior to that I had been driving a much less competitive F1 car so it was a bit of a shock for me. I also began to realise what it means to drive for Ferrari as there was a lot of pressure on me at that test, even though it was only a test, but it was a good experience. With Ferrari you just have to win.” Despite what De La Rosa says, this year, we know Ferrari will not win the championships, but taking second place in the Constructors’ category, in which it currently trails Mercedes by just a handful of points, is now the prime target for this season. “Behind Red Bull I expect it to be quite close in Abu Dhabi and I think Ferrari can fight for the podium here,” believes Marc. “Qualifying is our weak point and if we can manage to get on the second row, that would feel like pole to us! If we could do that then I feel we can get to the podium and therefore be in front of our main competitors Mercedes and Lotus which would be good for our chances to finish second in the Constructors’.”

A lot will depend on tyres and the same compounds used in India are again the choice for this Sunday. “I think Medium and Soft is quite a safe bet for Pirelli,” states Gene. “It’s probably the combination we have seen the most this year even if, at some circuits, most recently India, the Soft can suffer if it’s under stress.” “At Yas Marina it will be quite easy on strategy, but you have to take into account how the track will evolve over the course of the weekend, not just in terms of rubbering in but also the temperature drop of the surface is quite big from daytime to night,” interjects Pedro. “It means that track temperature can influence your choice of compound. Funnily enough the Medium has a low working range and the Soft a high working range, so it could be that at night with low track temperature the harder compound could work better.”

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....E8RDftIe.dpuf

[Rob]

Memories to wipe out, a park to visit.

The Yas Marina circuit holds a special place in Ferrari’s recent history. On the one hand, there’s pride in being able to race alongside the first theme park dedicated exclusively to the Maranello mark: whoever arrives on the artificial island gets the impression of being close to the world of Ferrari. The park, which opened in 2010, pays homage to the passion, excellence, style, racing spirit and technical innovation, which are all part of Ferrari’s DNA. Covering an area of around 200,000 square metres and under a roof boasting the biggest Scuderia emblem ever seen, it is home to over twenty attractions, including the biggest roller coaster in the world and allows adults and kids to try a complete multi-senses experience of the world of the Prancing Horse.

On the other hand, the outcome of the races has never smiled on the Scuderia. Out of the eight available there have only been two podium finishes in the four races held to date, second place for Fernando Alonso in 2011 and 2012. Both of them carry a hint of bitterness with them. In 2011, that was because a year earlier that result would have been good enough to give Fernando the title, but this time, it did nothing, given that Vettel had already been crowned in Suzuka. And the 2012 one for two reasons: victory probably escaped the Oviedo driver by a few kilometres – one more lap would have brought him up behind Raikkonen and into the DRS zone, which would have given him an excellent chance of overtaking – and then there were only three points made up on Vettel, who had to start from the back of the grid, because of a penalty in qualifying, the same gap that separated the two men at the chequered flag in Sao Paolo a few weeks later.

The biggest disappointment came in 2010 and it still pulls on the heartstrings of many guys in the red team kit and so many fans. That year Fernando arrived in Abu Dhabi leading the Championship and he seemed the clear favourite, having qualified third ahead of main rival Webber. However, the race played out an incredible script, which bears repeating, even if it opens up old wounds. With Fernando on the aforementioned third place and Felipe sixth on the grid, the Spaniard was passed at the start by Button, but still had the edge over his closest rival in the title fight, Webber, while Felipe maintained position. It was on the opening lap that a key incident occurred as Schumacher lost control of his car at Turn 6 ad spun, to be hit broadsides by Liuzzi. That brought out the Safety Car until lap 5: some drivers took the opportunity to put to switch from soft to hard tyres.

At the restart, there were no significant changes, so the race began to get into a pattern, with Vettel leading, from Hamilton, then Button Alonso, Webber and Massa. The Australian was beginning to struggle on the soft tyres and came in early on la 11, rejoining behind Alguersuari, who had already pitted The Toro Rosso driver’s “resistence” lasted little over a lap, before he let the Red Bull by. In the meantime the Ferrari pit wall decided to bring Felipe in on lap 13, to try and get ahead of Webber, but the gamble didn’t work and the Brazilian found himself behind Alguersuari. Two laps later, Alonso stopped when he was fourth, 6.5 down on Vettel. It did get him out before Webber, thus covering the Australian, but he found himself behind two cars that had stopped in the Safety Car period, Petrov’s Renault and Rosberg’s Mercedes. Fernando’s race to the title was therefore an uphill struggle and it got even more complicated when the driver and team realised it would take a miracle or a mistake to get ahead of Petrov, despite the performance difference between the two cars. From then, nothing much changed for the two Ferraris, who made a few places only thanks to planned pit stops from others. The lead trio, on tyres that were degrading much less than expected, were split on lap 23 when Hamilton pitted, followed next time round by Vettel.

Button now led, staying out until lap 39. In the middle of the trio, Kubica was fighting hard, before dropping to fifth when he changed tyres. After Sutil’s stop on lap 47, Fernando found himself seventh, but could do no better: at this point he would have had to pass three cars to get the fourth place needed to keep his lead over Vettel, who was comfortably in the lead. Fernando tried his utmost to the very end, taking risks, but there was no way past the Russian, driving in obstinate yet precise fashion that had not been seen from him all year. The race thus ended with a win for the German Red Bull driver, ahead of Hamilton, Button, Rosberg, Kubica, Petrov, Fernando, Webber, Alguersuari and Felipe. The drivers’ title went to Vettel who had a four point lead over the Ferrari man. It was a very bitter end, to what had nevertheless been a great season, especially the second part. It’s not worth going back over the whys and wherefores of a strategy that seemed right at the time – as Webber was the main rival to mark – but did not with hindsight, as it did not take into account the tyre degradation effect and the real potential of the car in overtaking, even if back then the simulation tools for predicting these variables were not available. It’s also not worth thinking how the last four years might have turned out if things had gone differently that day. Once in a while it comes to mind and sparks regret, but in sport one needs to be able to look ahead, learning lessons and improving day after day.

Having dealt with 2010, one can look at 2009, the inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Kimi Raikkonen’s twelfth place, as he bid farewell to his first chapter in red and a sixteenth for Giancarlo Fisichella is why there is little to say about that weekend and we are sure that you readers share that view.

And finally, a consideration: two podium finishes and six points finishes are a poor result for a race run alongside the Prancing Horse theme park. The hope is that this weekend, we can finally witness a Grand Prix that will give the Ferrari fans who pack the grandstands, maybe even celebrating afterwards at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi!

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/mem....UaDUXCE8.dpuf

[FA fan]

Memories to wipe out, a park to visit.

The Yas Marina circuit holds a special place in Ferrari’s recent history. On the one hand, there’s pride in being able to race alongside the first theme park dedicated exclusively to the Maranello mark: whoever arrives on the artificial island gets the impression of being close to the world of Ferrari. The park, which opened in 2010, pays homage to the passion, excellence, style, racing spirit and technical innovation, which are all part of Ferrari’s DNA. Covering an area of around 200,000 square metres and under a roof boasting the biggest Scuderia emblem ever seen, it is home to over twenty attractions, including the biggest roller coaster in the world and allows adults and kids to try a complete multi-senses experience of the world of the Prancing Horse.

On the other hand, the outcome of the races has never smiled on the Scuderia. Out of the eight available there have only been two podium finishes in the four races held to date, second place for Fernando Alonso in 2011 and 2012. Both of them carry a hint of bitterness with them. In 2011, that was because a year earlier that result would have been good enough to give Fernando the title, but this time, it did

nothing, given that Vettel had already been crowned in Suzuka. And the 2012 one for two reasons: victory probably escaped the Oviedo driver by a few kilometres – one more lap would have brought him up behind Raikkonen and into the DRS zone, which would have given him an excellent chance of overtaking – and then there were only three points made up on Vettel, who had to start from the back of the grid, because of a penalty in qualifying, the same gap that separated the two men at the chequered flag in Sao Paolo a few weeks later.

The biggest disappointment came in 2010 and it still pulls on the heartstrings of many guys in the red team kit and so many fans. That year Fernando arrived in Abu Dhabi leading the Championship and he seemed the clear favourite, having qualified third ahead of main rival Webber. However, the race played out an incredible script, which bears repeating, even if it opens up old wounds. With Fernando on the aforementioned third place and Felipe sixth on the grid, the Spaniard was passed at the start by Button, but still had the edge over his closest rival in the title fight, Webber, while Felipe maintained position. It was on the opening lap that a key incident occurred as Schumacher lost control of his car at Turn 6 ad spun, to be hit broadsides by Liuzzi. That brought out the Safety Car until lap 5: some drivers took the opportunity to put to switch from soft to hard tyres.

At the restart, there were no significant changes, so the race began to get into a pattern, with Vettel leading, from Hamilton, then Button Alonso, Webber and Massa. The Australian was beginning to struggle on the soft tyres and came in early on la 11, rejoining behind Alguersuari, who had already pitted The Toro Rosso driver’s “resistence” lasted little over a lap, before he let the Red Bull by. In the meantime the Ferrari pit wall decided to bring Felipe in on lap 13, to try and get ahead of Webber, but the gamble didn’t work and the Brazilian found himself behind Alguersuari. Two laps later, Alonso stopped when he was fourth, 6.5 down on Vettel. It did get him out before Webber, thus covering the Australian, but he
found himself behind two cars that had stopped in the Safety Car period, Petrov’s Renault and Rosberg’s Mercedes. Fernando’s race to the title was therefore an uphill struggle and it got even more complicated when the driver and team realised it would take a miracle or a mistake to get ahead of Petrov, despite the performance difference between the two cars. From then, nothing much changed for the two Ferraris, who made a few places only thanks to planned pit stops from others. The lead trio, on tyres that were degrading much less than expected, were split on lap 23 when Hamilton pitted, followed next time round by Vettel.

Button now led, staying out until lap 39. In the middle of the trio, Kubica was fighting hard, before

dropping to fifth when he changed tyres. After Sutil’s stop on lap 47, Fernando found himself seventh, but could do no better: at this point he would have had to pass three cars to get the fourth place needed to keep his lead over Vettel, who was comfortably in the lead. Fernando tried his utmost to the very end, taking risks, but there was no way past the Russian, driving in obstinate yet precise fashion that had not been seen from him all year. The race thus ended with a win for the German Red Bull driver, ahead of Hamilton, Button, Rosberg, Kubica, Petrov, Fernando, Webber, Alguersuari and Felipe. The drivers’ title went to Vettel who had a four point lead over the Ferrari man. It was a very bitter end, to what had
nevertheless been a great season, especially the second part. It’s not worth going back over the whys and wherefores of a strategy that seemed right at the time – as Webber was the main rival to mark – but did not with hindsight, as it did not take into account the tyre degradation effect and the real potential of the car in overtaking, even if back then the simulation tools for predicting these variables were not available. It’s also not worth thinking how the last four years might have turned out if things had gone differently that day. Once in a while it comes to mind and sparks regret, but in sport one needs to be able to look ahead, learning lessons and improving day after day.

Having dealt with 2010, one can look at 2009, the inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Kimi Raikkonen’s twelfth place, as he bid farewell to his first chapter in red and a sixteenth for Giancarlo
Fisichella is why there is little to say about that weekend and we are sure that you readers share that view.

And finally, a consideration: two podium finishes and six points finishes are a poor result for a race run alongside the Prancing Horse theme park. The hope is that this weekend, we can finally witness a Grand Prix that will give the Ferrari fans who pack the grandstands, maybe even celebrating afterwards at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi!

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/mem....UaDUXCE8.dpuf

That's why I hate going to the Gp there,although I got so many times free tickets to watch!

[fratelliferrari]

I really liked the video of our testdrivers on Facebook! You guys should watch it too!

[Senna4Ever]

The moment when Alonso was coming out of the pits was one of these moments in life when you realize in just a second: miracle or lost ... Like you're on a highway doing good speed and out of the corner of your eye's you see you missed the exit ... and next one is far away and destroys your route completely ...

Petrov’s Renault

And the strange thing: by making the wall and playing the racer in this single race this punk found a way to be not forgotten in the history of F1 ...
I think it was a little of payback from Boullier also ...

It’s not worth going back over the whys and wherefores of a strategy that seemed right at the time – as Webber was the main rival to mark – but did not with hindsight,

One thing we would never know is: if Webber was really allowed to become Red Bulls first WDC as long Vettel would also have the chance

It’s also not worth thinking how the last four years might have turned out if things had gone differently that day. Once in a while it comes to mind and sparks regret, but in sport one needs to be able to look ahead, learning lessons and improving day after day.

Of course the next four years would have been splendid over all: as we saved our technical advantage against RB into 2011 season with your pioneer experience in blown diffuser, flex wing etc. etc.

[Rob]

Abu Dhabi GP – Alonso: “we are competitive people at Ferrari”

Yas Island, 31 October – The sumptuous Yas Marina Circuit media centre hosted the first FIA press conference of the weekend this afternoon and Fernando Alonso was one of the six drivers called to attend. Also on the panel was the world champion elect, Sebastian Vettel who spoke of having had a couple of days back home, to get over his Indian hangover. In fact, it seemed that the media were also somewhat exhausted after the New Delhi weekend, with hardly any questions asked. The Scuderia Ferrari driver was asked to sum up his views on the two titles now being out of his and the Prancing Horse’s grasp. “We have to be realistic and accept we did not have a good enough chance to fight for the title,” admitted the Spaniard. “It was a bit of a closer contest at the beginning of the year, but after that, it was not close enough. Of course, finishing second in both championships was not our target this year, but to do so would still be something good for the team. So, we will stay focussed and do our best for the next three races, but by now we have half a mind on 2014. We are competitive people at Ferrari, so we can’t wait to start all over again.”

Apart from that, the panel was asked for its views on Kimi Raikkonen. “I can’t talk about him on a personal level,” said Fernando of his next year’s team-mate. “But as a racing driver, he is a great champion, a great talent, he is very fast and loves what he does.”

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....6xBIwsHf.dpuf

Abu Dhabi GP – Massa: “put together a perfect performance”

Yas Island, 31 October – A ritual that has taken place now for many years is slowing approaching a finale, as Felipe Massa took part in his usual Thursday meeting with the F1 media in the Scuderia Ferrari hospitality. And it followed the usual pattern: questions about the last and current race, rumours about the future, a look back at the past and laughter to end the show. “We had a good race in India and I hope we can have another good one here in Abu Dhabi,” began the Brazilian. “But it’s too early to say until we see how our cars and the others go here, not really Red Bull, but particularly Mercedes and Lotus, as it won’t be an easy fight with these two, who have a quicker car. But we are not giving up and to finish second would be fantastic.

I am pretty confident we can be competitive here and fight for the podium and I feel there is a chance we can make it to the podium in one of the three races left. But, we recognise we don’t have a quick enough car to guarantee that, so we need to do everything perfectly, from a perfect lap in qualifying to a perfect strategy and perfect pace in the race. And, at the moment, I feel we can put together a perfect performance if we work hard.”

Felipe refused to comment directly on the rumours regarding which team he might drive for next year, but admitting that the top teams were all spoken for, he added: “The fact that next year sees the biggest change in rules means that anything can happen and that gives me more motivation about going to a team that is not winning now. It’s not impossible that it could be competitive next year.”

Asked about the role played by drivers who buy their seats in F1 by bringing in big sponsors, the Ferrari man had clear views on the topic. “In Formula 1 I always operated as a professional driver, paid to race and I never brought money to pay for my drive and that is something that will not change now,” he said. Bringing a sponsor has never been part of my career. It doesn’t mean I can’t help the team to find a sponsor, but not as a condition for my getting the drive. The pay-driver scenario is a big worry for Formula 1. Formula 1 is a top world sport up against other sports at this level. It’s a shame to imagine a young driver who has the talent, the ability to be in F1 and maybe be world champion but not get a chance to race. Or that a driver already in F1 can lose his place to another with a lot less talent but he has the money. But it’s been like that for a while now.” He also felt that his country need to be represented on the grid. “It’s very important for Brazil to have a driver, a successful driver in Formula 1. Now, I’m the only one and I still don’t have a contract for next year. If I’m not racing next year, or if there is no other Brazilian on the grid, it would be a big loss for the country.”

And finally, would he encourage his young son to one day be a Grand Prix driver? “I won’t push my son to be a racing driver, all the decision must come from him. It’s better if he does football, I can go to the stadium to watch him and eat French Fries. Much better than all this noise!”

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....VaTQKBj5.dpuf

[vcs316]

Raikkonen no-show at Abu Dhabi media event fuels speculation

ABU DHABI - Kimi Raikkonen's strained relationship with his Lotus Formula One team was back in the spotlight on Thursday (early Friday, PHL time) after the Finn failed to turn up for media interviews at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

A team spokesman said the 2007 world champion, who is joining Ferrari at the end of the season, was flying in later and would be at the track for Friday practice after returning to Europe following last weekend's race in India.

Despite the explanation, the no-show still triggered speculation in the paddock about a breakdown in relations between team and driver following an angry exchange during the Indian race.

Raikkonen has skipped Thursday sessions before, notably in Belgium in August when the team said he was sick although most in the paddock felt it had more to do with wanting to avoid tiresome questions about his future.

The Finn, who won his title with Ferrari and is renowned for his dislike of media sessions, has also cited late or non-payment of his full wages as one of the reasons for his departure from the team.

At the Indian Grand Prix, Lotus trackside operations manager Alan Permane told Raikkonen in strong language to get out of the way of teammate Romain Grosjean - and received another profanity in return.

Team principal Eric Boullier apologized for the incident this week and said it would not happen again.

Although both titles have been decided, with Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel taking their fourth successive championships, Lotus are still in with a shout of second place in the constructors' standings and need Raikkonen to play a part in that battle.

Lotus are 24 points behind third-place Ferrari and 28 adrift of second placed Mercedes with three races remaining.

Raikkonen is third overall, having scored 183 points, while Grosjean is seventh with 102 but has finished his last three races on the podium. — Reuters

[vcs316]

With the season's Championship already decided, and Kimi already signed with Ferrari, his absence on the scene this week in Abu Dhabi thus far may be speaking volumes.

With radio communications during last week's championship round in India not going so well for Kimi and the public relations team at Lotus, any fan can be assured that the frustrations of former F1 Champ Kimi Raikkonen are at a high point for the season. Not getting paid on time, clashing egos and cars with teammate Grosjean and his eventual decision to leap back to the "big red" Team Ferrari leave Kimi little to hold onto for the remainder of the season. Looking around the paddock area at the Yas Marina track, Raikkneon is conspicuously absent, and according to sources will be arriving late on the scene.

These same sources, reportedly close to both Kimi and Lotus, said that the last 48 have been dicey. It seems that the radio comments in India and a ruckus at the team meeting after the event left Kimi feeling like it was time to just walk away for the season, leaving Lotus sans driver for their car #1. However, after repeated conversations and assurances, it seems that cooler heads may yet prevail and that Kimi while late, will in fact be in Abu Dhabi to do his job.

That said, can Mark Webber be far behind? Don't be surprised if we begin seeing the same behavior from from the RBR Team #2 car as well. Like Rodney Dangerfield, Webber get's no respect and little support from his team. Sad to see these two exit their respective teams on such terms.

http://www.f1today.net/en/news/raikk...ht-with-lotus?

[fratelliferrari]

Where is the Friday and Saturday Free Practice Thread?

[Kiwi Nick]

Look, Kimi is a driver first and foremost, and a very popular one at that. All of the Thursday hoopla is for the teams promotional endeavors. Since the team have not been living up to their financial responsibilities, I cannot fault Kimi for skipping the promo events...quid pro quo...no pay, no promo!

That said, when he gets into the car, he will be racing for Kimi. And the team will support him, as he is still their best chance to move up in the WCC rankings. The season is not over and a win or a second place in the WDC are not yet out of his reach.

[Forzi]

Pat Fry: “As far as the work programme was concerned, this was a Friday like any other, but when it comes to the results it was rather complicated. We had a few small aerodynamic components to try and the analysis crossed over the performance of both cars, which provided enough data to choose the best configuration for the race. Here, in order to establish the best set-up, you have to take into consideration the changing track conditions between the first and second sessions. In both of them, we struggled to find the right grip level, especially on the Medium compound. In the late afternoon, the situation got better and we worked on the balance of the cars, but the results were not that satisfactory. The performance difference between the two compounds is very high and some cars, including ours, made up almost two seconds a lap. This unusual difference in performance from the Medium tyres clearly shows what a margin for improvement there is and that’s why tonight, we will evaluate solutions better suited to giving our drivers a more competitive car”. - See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....NSBgSWB6.dpuf

Felipe Massa: “Today we got through the entire programme we had planned for this day, concentrating on set-up and the behaviour of the two Pirelli compounds. At the moment, I am not very pleased with the car’s behaviour, as we are not as competitive as I’d expected to be. On this track, we found ourselves running in daytime in the sunshine, with very high temperatures, with the conditions changing completely in the evening and in this situation, it’s not easy to understand which direction to go in. Now we will try and work out how to improve the car’s performance for tomorrow’s qualifying, which we know won’t be easy, but we’ll give it our best shot”. - See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....rLNSZQVa.dpuf

Fernando Alonso: “Compared to other Fridays, today we were a bit less competitive than usual and now we need to work out if that is down to the fact that the track characteristics do not suit our car, or if it’s a question of set-up. The tyres work better here than in India, where they suffered a lot from blistering in the fast corners, while here they are better, especially at night when the temperature drops. Unfortunately, in performance terms, we are behind our rivals for second place in the Constructors’ classification. Compared to the start of the year, they have improved and will be difficult to beat, but tomorrow we will make some changes and will do our utmost because we absolutely don’t want to give up the fight”. - See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....Xm9suq1m.dpuf

[Rob]

[Rob]

[Rob]

[fratelliferrari]

Nice photos

[Raz]

Me yesterday.. yes.. i'm a Marshal

[Jas]

Alonso hits back at suggestions of 'decline'

Fernando Alonso has been outqualified by Felipe Massa in five of the last six races

Saturday, November 2, 2013

ABU DHABI, November 2nd, 2013 (F1Plus / AFP) - Fernando Alonso on Saturday shrugged off suggestions that his lack of competitive pace for Ferrari signalled that he was in decline as a Formula One force.

In qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alonso was outpaced by departing team-mate Felipe Massa and failed to make the cut into the top ten for the first time this year.

It was the fifth time in six races that Alonso was out-qualified by his team-mate.

But Alonso has beaten Massa in every race except last weekend's Indian Grand Prix where he was held up by first lap collisions.

"I think we need to see how everything goes at the end of the weekend. It's not only about qualifying. There are many things you can do for qualifying that make the car quicker and then in the race you're slower," said former world champion Alonso.

"To take a conclusion from qualifying is a little bit difficult. In the last three or four races, it was Felipe in front of me in qualifying, but in those races I finished in front and I have a lot more points.

"Saturdays are good for the show and for talking, but the points are on Sundays."

Having struggled to match Alonso for much of their time together at Ferrari, Massa admitted that he was pleased the qualifying fight was now so close.

Over the year of 2013, Alonso leads 9-8.

But he agreed that Alonso remained the superior race driver -- Alonso has 207 points to Massa's 102 this year.

"I'm just trying to use the car in the best way possible for qualifying. For sure, it's not the same in the races," said Massa.

"In some of the races I didn't finish in the position I was supposed to, but the situation is very competitive. I have no trouble getting the best out of the car."

Massa will start the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from seventh on the grid, with Alonso tenth after Kimi Raikkonen has been relegated to the back of the grid as a result of his Lotus car failing a post-qualifying floor deflection test.

[Rob]

Abu Dhabi GP – Fry: A perfect race.

“Right from the start of the weekend, we have struggled to be competitive at this track and the outcome of qualifying reflects the hierarchy through the field that we have seen since the start. Even though we worked a lot on improving the balance of both cars, we continued to suffer from a lack of grip, especially in the third sector where our rivals make the difference. In the first two sectors, we do not have any particular difficulties and we can maintain split times that are not far off those of the best, but in the final sector the gap gets bigger which has badly effected the overall lap time. When the temperature dropped, we managed to make the tyres work better, which meant the car was more reactive, even if it was not enough to allow our drivers to secure better positions. Tomorrow, we will face a very difficult race, in which it will be vital to avoid traffic in the first stint as much as possible and so we are banking on a clean start. We will have to do everything perfectly if we want to help our drivers in their quest to bring home as many points as possible”.

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....9M6MCqXG.dpuf

Massa: Better than expected.

“I am pleased with my qualifying and things went better than I’d expected. All weekend, we haven’t been competitive enough and after this morning’s free practice, I was worried I wouldn’t make it to Q3, but then, thanks to a lap where I got the maximum out of the car, combined with the drop in temperature, I managed to make up a few places. Today I did all I could and I think that without a bit of oversteer at the final corner, I could have done even better. This track does not suit our car, as you need good traction and the high temperature doesn’t help either, but the race is run in the evening and I hope that will allow us to bring home those important points we need right now, even if it’s definitely not going to be easy”.

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....X3bbniJj.dpuf

Alonso: Sometimes helps.

“This qualifying has been as difficult as the rest of the weekend, even if in some races, starting eleventh on new tyres can help, so let’s hope that’s the case here. It is without a doubt better to make it through to Q3 but unfortunately I didn’t manage to get a very clean lap and I didn’t manage to make it by a few tenths. This is one of the tracks where we suffer a bit more than usual, but in general our Sunday performance is better and so, again this time, our approach to the race is positive. We must absolutely get a good start, stay focussed and run a perfect race if we want to take points towards our aim of finishing second in the Constructors’, because it will be a tough fight. We have seen that in the heat, the Softs work better than the Mediums and so logic dictates we should start on the softer tyre while it’s still daytime and switch to Mediums when darkness falls. Clearly, we have to see how things go”.

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/abu....x7ZX7fRW.dpuf

[Rob]

[Rob]

[Rob]

[fratelliferrari]

Nice photos!

[Jas]

great pics

[Hornet]

[IMG]
Me yesterday.. yes.. i'm a Marshal

Nice...

Are you stationed in the pit lane? Maybe we can look out for you on TV

[Nova]

Most amazing pix..Thx.

[fratelliferrari]

Me yesterday.. yes.. i'm a Marshal

Lucky you Raz, enjoy it! By the way: uggly car, why not with a Ferrari on the photo

[CPU]

Nice picture!
Happy for you Raz!
A dream come true!

Me yesterday.. yes.. i'm a Marshal

[tifosi1993]

Abu Dhabi - Race day

[tifosi1993]

Abu Dhabi - Race day

[wacc]

Stefano Domenicali: "Considering our start positions, the outcome of this race is positive and we leave Abu Dhabi aware we have limited the damage. We knew we had a difficult weekend ahead of us and we paid the price for our results in yesterday's qualifying. Despite that, I am pleased with the performances from Felipe and Fernando, because both of them managed to give it their all on a track that was hostile to us. Given the situation, today we could have ended up further away from Mercedes in the Constructors' classification and yet we managed to pull out a bit on Lotus and limit the points lost in the battle for second place. Now we must tackle the two final rounds of the season, the two of them in very different conditions and track types. Our motivation is still very high and, along with that, we will try and run the car as it stands, as well as we can".

Fernando Alonso: "I am happy to have brought home points for the team in a race that was always going to be tough, on what has been a very difficult weekend for us. Given the gap to the top four, I certainly couldn't have done more. Starting from further back, we knew we would find ourselves in traffic, therefore having done well at the start, I tried to overtake as much as possible. When we saw that we were always behind another car, it became impossible to think in terms of a single stop and it was clearly better to switch to two and attack. As the Mediums were holding up quite well, we thought we'd use the Softs for a short stint to try and do a series of quick laps. As for what happened with Vergne after the second pit stop, I don't know what the stewards will say, but the rule states that if you have an equal amount of car to the other one on the track then you can use all the space. But this was only one incident in a race which, for me, was fantastic. Now, if we don't want to give up our fight in the Constructors' Championship, we absolutely must do better and finish the last two races on the podium".

Felipe Massa: "Today I was competitive from start to finish and pulled off a lot of passing moves with a car that handled well. It was a great race. Our strategy was based on a single stop, but when we realised that the pace was too quick for the rear tyres and the wear was greater than expected, we decided to make a second stop so as not to take any risks. Fitting the
Mediums rather than the Softs was not the best decision, because the softer compound was quicker by at least a second per lap: I'd managed to do 19 laps on them in the first stint and it would not have been a problem to do the same in the final part of the race. It's a real shame, because we could have finished at least fifth, but even if this is not the result we deserved, I am still pleased with my performance. Now we head for Texas and Brazil, two tracks that on paper should suit our car better and where I hope I can continue to be competitive".

Pat Fry: "Today's race was intense and action packed and our drivers were in the thick of it right to the end, despite the fact that the top places were out of our reach. Initially, we had thought of running just a one stop race, but when we realised that that the wear rate of the Mediums in the second stint would not have allowed us to go all the way to the end, while doing competitive times, backed up by our simulation systems, we told Fernando and Felipe to go flat out, as they would need to make a second stop. With Fernando, we managed to get to lap 44 which meant he was able to run the Softs to the end of the race. Unfortunately, we couldn't do the same with Felipe and with him we chose not to risk it, keeping him on the Mediums. It was a real shame. The two F138s proved they had a good pace, definitely better in the lower temperatures and both drivers were involved in close fights and made spectacular passing moves. In the last two races, we must improve, especially in qualifying, because only by starting further forward can we put ourselves in a position to fight for second place in the Constructors' Championship".