Formula One news

Massa expecting increased pace this weekend

In the opinion of Felipe Massa, a number of upgrades on the F60 car should see Ferrari be more competitive than it was at Istanbul Park. The Brazilian, 2008 championship runner-up to Lewis Hamilton, is pleased about the introduction of a new front wing and a lighter chassis at this weekend's British Grand Prix.

"On paper, this weekend's race takes place at a track with some similarities to the last one in Istanbul, where we were not so competitive," Massa said. "This weekend's track also features fast corners, flowing sections and a final slow sector and we will have the same two types of tyre from Bridgestone, but that doesn't mean I think we will struggle as much as we did a fortnight ago.

"For a start, the new components we have on the car this weekend, including a front wing and a lighter chassis, should make us more competitive. More importantly, in Turkey we went backwards over the course of the weekend after being very competitive on Friday and on Saturday morning. We now know why that happened, which is the most important thing: we believe that, with the very high track temperatures, we ran too low on the downforce and should have run with more rear wing because, as the temperature rises, the grip from the tyres decreased and we needed to compensate for that. As the temperature gradually got higher, our cars were running slower and slower in the first sector of the track, where you need the most downforce; in other words, the problem we had was related to the way we worked rather than any specific fault on the car.

"So I think we can be more competitive this weekend, with these changes to the car. Apparently this is the last time we will race at Silverstone and I have to say that I have always enjoyed racing here, even if my track record is nothing special, especially in the wet and if you think back to last year, I had a terrible afternoon in the rain. All the same, it is a nice track and I hope that where we go next for the British Grand Prix will be as good as Silverstone in terms of its layout and the pleasure it provides in terms of driving."

more news

• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • 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

Homepage