Felipe Massa-i want to be competitive as from first race

[Rob]

Maranello, 28 January – In 2009 you directly experienced driving with the Kers. How do you feel about using it again this year?
I think that we’re working in the same direction as in 2009 and since then lots of development has been done. We haven’t tried it out yet, but I think that we’ll have a good Kers, a little bit lighter and still strong, without losing the car’s set up. It’s important finding the perfect system with all the variables involved.

Do you think that you’ll have problems regarding the visibility due to the height of the car’s nose?
The nose is higher, but we’ve worked a lot on changing and setting up the seat. It seems as if for now there weren’t any more problems.


The season is very long: did you review your physical exercise schedule?
I exercised a lot. Usually I’m in Brazil, because it’s warmer there and now it’s summer. Here in Europe it’s more difficult. I also considered the weight, regarding the Kers.

Last year your driving style wasn’t perfect for the car. Did you give some indications this year?
Yes, but many things have changed. I want to be more competitive from the first to the last race this year and I think that also the Pirelli tyres will help me here.

How should the Pirelli tyres be made to help your driving style?
Last year Bridgestone changed the front tyres a lot compared to 2009. This led to lots of understeer. The tyres were much harder and difficult to bring up to the right temperature. I tried to modify the front tyres, but then the rear tyres didn’t work as they should have, so it was a real fight. This year Pirelli should have prepared much stronger front tyres, for more grip. This is much better for my driving style.

There were some unpleasant episodes for you last year. Did you ask for guarantees from the team?
I’m racing in a team where I want to win. I trust the team 100% that they give me the perfect car to compete for victory.

http://www.ferrarif150.com/app.html#/en/news/11

[Angelus]

Hopefully Pirelli tires are REALLY soft, soft as bubble cum.

[justjesper]

I must say that it is nice to hear Felipe being so optimistic on this season. Lets hope he get the equipment he needs.

[racingbradley]

Love it Felipe now let us see some action on the track.

[Mollydog]

I don't think Ferrari will let him, given the choice, DM will have Alonso win

[Stormsearcher]

I don't think Ferrari will let him, given the choice, DM will have Alonso win

Oh no. Here we go again. This is also going to turn into an Alonso vs Massa thread.

[Greig]

He was competitive in the first race last season too

[Tifosi]

but we obviously hope that he'll be competitive all season this year - seeing as how he's a Ferrari driver and all

[Greig]

did anyone say different?

[Suzie]

If he isn't I shall personally fly to Maranello to poke him with a big stick.

[justjesper]

If he isn't I shall personally fly to Maranello to poke him with a big stick.

I don't think it will be necessary, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind you stopping by anyway

[Katu]

If he isn't I shall personally fly to Maranello to poke him with a big stick.

if you do, would you mind take some pictures of it too i mean i'm always in for the good entertainment

[racingbradley]

If he isn't I shall personally fly to Maranello to poke him with a big stick.

He He you might meet me there having a go too not sure yet what i would use to wake him up

[Anni]

He He you might meet me there having a go too not sure yet what i would use to wake him up

We could make an TSN-excursion all together, "Mission: waking up Felipe Massa!"

[racingbradley]

We could make an TSN-excursion all together, "Mission: waking up Felipe Massa!"

That would certainly wake him up!!!!!!!!!!!
Somehow I don't think Felipe will need any help. I think he will be fully awake and raring to go

[brembo man]

[QUOTE=Rob;644418]Maranello, 28 January – In 2009 you directly experienced driving with the Kers. How do you feel about using it again this year?
I think that we’re working in the same direction as in 2009 and since then lots of development has been done. We haven’t tried it out yet, but I think that we’ll have a good Kers, a little bit lighter and still strong, without losing the car’s set up. It’s important finding the perfect system with all the variables involved.

Do you think that you’ll have problems regarding the visibility due to the height of the car’s nose?
The nose is higher, but we’ve worked a lot on changing and setting up the seat. It seems as if for now there weren’t any more problems.

There were some unpleasant episodes for you last year. Did you ask for guarantees from the team?
I’m racing in a team where I want to win. I trust the team 100% that they give me the perfect car to compete for victory.

There's no better place for Massa to go; or he would be there this year, with Ferrari's blessing. There's Alonso and a #2 spot at Ferrari .Just like when the chin was on board. Business as usual. IMO Ferrari wouldn't think twice in replacing him yesterday with Todt's son's other driver, Frenchman Jules Bianchi.
The car, the tires are not the problem, he's just not in Alonso's class. Massa's in good company,neither is anyone else.
Felipe should just get comfortable in his seat, and laugh all the way to the bank! The world is full of folks who go to work not happy witrh there job, but can use the money.

[Anni]

There's no better place for Massa to go; or he would be there this year, with Ferrari's blessing. There's Alonso and a #2 spot at Ferrari .Just like when the chin was on board. Business as usual. IMO Ferrari wouldn't think twice in replacing him yesterday with Todt's son's other driver, Frenchman Jules Bianchi.
The car, the tires are not the problem, he's just not in Alonso's class. Massa's in good company,neither is anyone else.
Felipe should just get comfortable in his seat, and laugh all the way to the bank! The world is full of folks who go to work not happy witrh there job, but can use the money.

Yawn.....here we go again

[Tifosi]

Yawn.....here we go again

Here's a tip for you Anni - as soon as you see the word "Todt" or the predictably disrespectful phrase "The Chin", stop reading because you know it's got nothing to do with the thread topic. There's no point to it. I think it's just therapy for him

.... oh and a chance to put down one of our drivers for absolutely do reason whatsoever except to troll a response

[Anni]

Here's a tip for you Anni - as soon as you see the word "Todt" or the predictably disrespectful phrase "The Chin", stop reading because you know it's got nothing to do with the thread topic. There's no point to it. I think it's just therapy for him

.... oh and a chance to put down one of our drivers for absolutely do reason whatsoever except to troll a response

Advice taken, Stu. No response at all is probably the maximum penalty for such people.

[brembo man]

for absolutely" do " reason whatsoever . I'm stued , "confused", what were you trying to say?

[REDARMYSOJA]

A friend and I have been discussing this, has anyone had tougher teammates than Massa? Schumi, then Kimi, then Alonso. Schumi alone is tougher than most ever had.

[brembo man]

Advice taken, Stu. No response at all is probably the maximum penalty for such people.

I wish the boy would take his own advice and not respond to anything I post. Especially in such a nasty tone. PLease, "confused," practice what you preach.
All I be say'in is Massa got no shot at #1 spot with Ferrari, he needs to be cool with what he got.

[brembo man]

A friend and I have been discussing this, has anyone had tougher teammates than Massa? Schumi, then Kimi, then Alonso. Schumi alone is tougher than most ever had.

Senna, Prost was a team made in heaven!

[Tifosi]

I wish the boy would take his own advice and not respond to anything I post. Especially in such a nasty tone. PLease, "confused," practice what you preach.
All I be say'in is Massa got no shot at #1 spot with Ferrari, he needs to be cool with what he got.

I didn't respond to you though did I bm, I responded to Anni. Sorry that you felt I was being nasty dude, it wasn't my intention . Your post was disparaging about one of our drivers though (you need to differentiate your opinion from fact btw), disparaging about one of our ex-drivers, disparaging about our team's attitude to our drivers and was pretty much in line with most of your posts which always view what Ferrari does in a negative way (without citing any evidence as to why). Also your obsession with the Todt family and their influence in Formula 1 was high on the agenda as usual.

As ever I fail to see where the "Ferrari supporter" is in you dude. I was merely extending some advice to my friend Anni because some of us find it very difficult to bite our tongues sometimes when you disparage your way through our drivers and your opinion of our team's attitudes towards them.

Also, "points scoring" by highlighting another poster's typos is a pretty weak tactic don't you think unless you are just trying to evoke a reaction of course. It's a bit like when someone does a "Reply with Quote" but fails every time to use it properly by deleting out the [\QUOTE] tag at the end - there is little point bringing it up as a basis for arguing your point of view.

Take care dude