Formula One news

Ferrari looking good at Valencia

Ferrari already has two Grands Prix under its belt at the new Valencia street circuit, as both drivers actually completed at least 57 laps, equivalent to Sunday's race distance. Felipe Massa in fact did a few kilometres more, completing 58 laps. The day's work centred on checking the set-up on the F2008 that had been established when preparing for this race, on developing the cars and on the comparison between the two types of tyre that Bridgestone has brought to this Grand Prix. There were no technical problems throughout the three hours of free practice. 

"It was a good day," commented team principal Stefano Domenicali. "We worked well and acquired a lot of data from this track which, over the next few hours, will be used to prepare ourselves as well as possible for this weekend. From what we could see, given the usual unknowns on a Friday, we can say we are competitive. Whether we will be competitive enough to reach our target will only be revealed starting with tomorrow afternoon's qualifying."

Felipe Massa commented, "They were two enjoyable sessions with the lap times tumbling bit by bit as the drivers lapped and got confidence in the track layout. The track surface is still very dirty and it is easy to make mistakes which can lose you precious tenths and to do a good lap time you have to be perfect. I like the track: there's a nice atmosphere and I have to say the organizers have done a good job. Today, it was important that we find a good base set-up immediately and we managed to do that."

Kimi Raikkonen added, "I like driving this track: it is different to other street circuits we have known. Yesterday, when I walked the track, I thought it would be fun and today confirmed that impression. There are some very quick parts and almost everywhere there's a lot of room, maybe similar to some of the North American circuits used in the past. They have really done a good job. Today, our weekend got off to a good start, but obviously it is far too early to say where we are compared to the opposition. Overtaking? It will be difficult, as always: I hope I don't need to by getting the best position in qualifying. The set-up we have found today is not bad, but there is still plenty of room for improvement."

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