Massa: Getting stronger race by race

On what the forecasters say could be the only dry day of the British GP weekend, Felipe Massa met the media in the Scuderia Ferrari hospitality this afternoon and the weather was the inevitable opening subject. “Last year we started in the rain and then it got dry towards the end and I finished fifth, so this year my plan is to aim to fight for a podium,” said Felipe. “It’s something I really want to do because I have never been on the podium in this race. Every year there is a chance of rain at this event and that always means you have to be ready to react quickly to any situation that can arise. That’s especially true this year when most of the cars are so close. I really enjoy driving here anyway and I’m looking forward to having a good fight whatever the conditions.”

Asked the “traditional” questions about his future, the Brazilian turned his answer into a quick review of his recent races. “The only thing I know and I care about is to get some results, finishing in the position I should finish,” he stated. “That wasn’t the case in the last race, but I was very happy with the car in Valencia and I was very strong. But it’s true to say I was not very lucky with a problem on the floor of my car from lap 7 onwards, which meant I lost a lot of downforce and that was costing me one second every lap. Then, it appears another driver didn’t see my car and crashed into me! I was so confident and so happy with the car that, before the start, I was sure I would be fighting for a place on the podium. So if we can put everything together properly, then the results will come and those results will make things much easier for the future. I am still moving forward in terms of my understanding of this year’s car. The situation began to improve in Monaco where we managed to finish where we were supposed to. Then, that was not the case in Canada in terms of results, even though we were very strong there too. I made a stupid spin, which I still don’t understand, as I was not trying to brake later than usual. Then we come to Valencia where a good result was in my grasp. And that is still the case because the car is getting better and I feel I am getting stronger race by race.”

For obvious reasons, given the fact he suffered head injuries after the incident at the Hungaroring in 2009, the Ferrari man was asked for a comment about the terrible accident that befell Maria De Villota two days ago. “She and her family have all my support, because I have been in a similar situation, but thank God, there were no after effects in my case,” commented Felipe. “Sadly, she has lost one eye. Hopefully, she will make a full recovery apart from that and live a life in the best way possible. But I cannot really comment further as I have no more information than anyone else about what happened. The important thing is for the exact cause of her accident to be established and I think the FIA needs to find out to ensure that all testing takes place in conditions of maximum safety. In the case of my own accident, recovery was not always easy. I was at home and was impatient to get back in the car and to go racing again. Even though I felt okay, I knew I needed to recuperate and in this, having a positive attitude always helps and I believe that is why I recovered quicker than was expected.”