Formula One news

Positive signs at Ferrari

On Friday the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro completed a lot of work in these three hours of free practice on the first day of the French Grand Prix. Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa covered around 500 kilometres (64 laps for the Finn and 45 for the Brazilian.) It means the team now has plenty of data to work on with a view to qualifying and especially the race.

Felipe Massa commented on his day: "It was a good day, apart from a slightly tight neck which I began to feel this morning: so as not to take any risks, I chose to avoid doing too many runs of several laps. I therefore concentrated on the car's set-up, working with both types of tyre. On the softer ones, it seems to be a little bit harder to find the right balance, but we must take into account that today, as usual on a Friday, the track is still dirty. Everyone suffered a bit with graining on the front tyres, but tomorrow the situation should improve. We must study all the data we have gathered to prepare as well as possible for qualifying and the race."

Kimi Raikkonen said: "I am happy with the way things went during these two free practice sessions. We got through our entire usual Friday job list, working mainly towards the race. Of course we don't know how much fuel our main rivals were running, but I get the impression we are very competitive. Maybe I did not get the most out of the first lap, but I am happy with the balance of the car. We tried out this new system for a Safety Car period and I think it could be a good solution because it puts everyone in the same situation and that way, you can't be penalized just by unfortunate circumstances."

more news

• 08 Nov.
  • Hamilton learned a lot in 2009
• 07 Nov.
  • Alonso enjoys first Ferrari factory visit
  • Brawn looking forward to Senna debut
• 06 Nov.
  • Follow GPUpdate.net on Twitter!
  • Wind tunnel operator sues Force India
  • Toyota-assisted Kobayashi eyeing Lotus seat
  • Sutil: Abu Dhabi 'a shame' for Force India
  • Lee McKenzie's End of Season Review 2009
  • Lotus wanting experienced drivers
  • Anthony Hamilton: Räikkönen the best option for McLaren
• 05 Nov.
  • Renault decision to come in December
  • GPUpdate TV: Vettel receives sports car prize
  • Ecclestone: 2 days for Silverstone to sign
  • Etihad and Aldar to pay damages to Force India
  • 'F1 organisers to blame for lost teams' - Ferrari
  • Hülkenberg to test Williams next month
• 04 Nov.
  • FIA warns again: Credit crunch will win
  • Renault holds emergency meeting about F1 future
  • FOTA thanks Toyota's Howett
  • Ekström beats Schumacher for Race of Champions
  • Hülkenberg targeting Barrichello pace
  • Photos: Race of Champions 2009
  • Pirelli not interested in F1
  • Vettel and Schumacher win ROC Nations Cup
  • Toyota highlights reasons for F1 exit
  • Official: Toyota leaves Formula One
  • An interview with Kamui Koabayshi
• 03 Nov.
  • 'Toyota set to end Formula 1 project'
  • Red Bull to announce engine partner 'very shortly'
  • Schumacher: Comeback was for Felipe
  • Trulli on lookout for clear racing rules
  • Räikkönen too expensive, says Brawn
  • Horner aware of 2010 challengers
  • Michael: Hülkenberg following Hamilton-like path
• 02 Nov.
  • Brawn thanks Barrichello for contribution
  • Kubica to drive in French rally
  • 2010: The grid so far
  • Alonso won't drive Ferrari until February
  • Williams confirms Barrichello and Hülkenberg for 2010
  • Optimism at Renault for next year

Homepage