Formula One news

Ferrari returns to the top ten

The Ferrari team was relived to be back in the top ten of qualifying at Sakhir, as they continue to search for World Championship points after a terrible start to the season. The Scuderia, constructors' champions for the past two seasons, are yet to get off the mark in 2009 but are looking stronger with eighth and tenth on the grid.

"It seems we have made a small step forward," said Felipe Massa, who leads the charge from row four. "We know we still have a long way to go. Personally, I'm happy to be back in the top ten of qualifying and I hope I can have a good race and make it into the top eight (points positions). This morning, the car was handling very well, but in the afternoon it lost a little bit of performance because of oversteer, probably down to the track conditions."

Räikkönen is aiming for points from tenth on the starting grid

The Brazilian, winner of the last two Grands Prix in Manama, is still concerned about temperatures in the desert of Bahrain - which reached highs of 38°C/100°F in qualifying - and could easily have an affect on both reliability of the F60 and performance of the Bridgestone tyres. "We must try and make it to the finish and bring home some points," the 2008 runner-up continued, "maybe making the most of KERS, especially at the start."

"It would have been difficult to do better than tenth," Räikkönen reported. "In the first two parts of qualifying the car handled better than we had expected, but in Q3 I no longer had any new soft tyres, having already used all four sets. The car's performance has improved with KERS. Tomorrow, the race will be very tough because of the high temperatures; let's see what we manage to do - the aim is to finish in the points."

more news

• 27 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation
  • Confirmed: Rosberg to Mercedes for 2010
  • Manor hoping to run in late January
  • Mercedes poised to announce first driver
  • Kobayashi: I expected to be re-signed

Homepage