Formula One news

Ferrari: A lot of work to do

The Ferrari team's first day of running in Sao Paulo was conspicuous by its absence in the top fifteen places. After two sessions in Brazil characterised by typically changeable weather conditions, Kimi Räikkönen and Giancarlo Fisichella finished the day in 18th and 20th places.

With two tail-ending positions, Brazil's second free practice session brought with it a pair of surprisingly low finishing positions for Ferrari as the team's leading driver - known for his serenity in public - admitted that Interlagos represents an uphill challenge in more ways than one.

Fisichella's day was compounded by a stall in the pit lane exit

"I'd say this Friday was not too different to others we have experienced this season, especially in recent races," Raikkonen, who claimed the 2007 title in Brazil, commented later on. "It's all very close so it will only take a small step forward to climb back up the order, but we are definitely facing a difficult weekend."

"It was a pretty difficult Friday, with very changeable weather which prevented us from getting through all our planned programme," explained Chief Track Engineer Chris Dyer. "Furthermore, we had a problem with Fisichella which prevented him from doing his final planned run in free practice two; there's a lot of work to do to try and improve the car, which lacks grip, which is particularly noticeable in the second sector where we are not really competitive."

Ferrari continues its battle for third place in the Constructors' Championship this weekend; the Maranello team is currently just two points ahead of McLaren, which finished 10th and 17th on Friday.

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