Alonso and Massa: factory days in the run up to Shanghai

With a few days to go before they head off for Shanghai and the third round of the Formula 1 World Championship, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were in Maranello for a busy programme of sports, technical and promotional activity.

Fernando was there for two days and Felipe for one and the main purpose of their visit was to catch up with their own group of engineers. They also rounded off their preparation for China with a stint in the simulator. The two drivers also had a meeting with Team Principal Stefano Domenicali, for a final overview of the race in Shanghai, before they fly off there this weekend.

Alonso then turned his attention to another activity, working on fine tuning the new LaFerrari road car, a project the Spaniard is particularly keen on. Over the past few months he has worked on the driving position, the location of the controls and on the car’s handling on track, which he was able to experience on Thursday, when the sun came out at Fiorano.

On Friday, before doing some physical tests, he also went round the factory, visting various departments within the Gestione Industriale, including the Foundry, where heads, cylinders and blocks are produced, as well as the Paint Shop where the bodies are painted prior to going onto the assembly line.

The Spaniard got a warm welcome and a round of applause, typical of the historic links that have always bound those who work on the road cars with their colleagues in the Scuderia.

“I am always happy to spend a few days in Maranello,” commented Fernando. “Apart from working on the car and being in close contact with the team, sometimes I’m able to see some of the production departments which are the heart of the company. This time I met up with people who are never in the limelight, but they have an incredible love for their work. I think that everyone, at least once in their life, should be able to experience a visit to these places and meet these people. It was nice to shake their hands and see the passion in their eyes. It gives me even more motivation and makes me even prouder to be part of the Ferrari family.”