Massa: I hope we can be on the pace of the best again

It seems the rain that marked the Silverstone race a fortnight ago, has crossed the Channel and is with us again at the Nurburgring for this weekend’s German Grand Prix. When Felipe Massa met the media in the Scuderia Ferrari motorhome this afternoon, he explained the weather makes life complicated even on a Friday. “We test many things on Friday, as all the new components get their first track test during free practice at a grand prix, now there is no testing during the season. Sometimes we split the workload, fitting some parts to my car and others to Fernando’s in order to see the difference. It means Friday is much more important now, because when testing was allowed during the season, you knew where you were with new parts. Often it depends on the weather and I don’t think we are going to have a very easy Friday this weekend looking at the forecast!”

Although Felipe’s British Grand Prix did not produce the result he was looking for, the Ferrari man was pleased with progress made on the 150º Italia car. “We brought a good amount of parts to Silverstone and it was the first track where we have managed to use the hard tyres well,” he recalled. “We did a good job there, being competitive in all situations. Here we have another small update and I hope we can be on the pace of the best again this weekend. Two years ago, the last time we were here at the Nurburgring I finished third: in fact I have had many podiums with Ferrari at the German Grand Prix and I like this track, so even if the win is what we are always aiming for, another podium would be a good result on Sunday, given the strength of our opponents.” It would not be a Formula 1 summer if Massa was not asked by a journalist about his future with Scuderia Ferrari and if he would be with the team next season! “Next year yes for sure, as I have a contract until the end of 2012,” came the reply. “After that, we will see and there is still some time before we have to think about what happens after 2012. I have been here six years, next year will make it seven and it is very good to be racing for Ferrari.”