Massa: I’m not a number two driver

Just a few days after being in the FIA Top 3 conference after the German GP on Sunday, Felipe Massa was back on duty in today’s FIA conference at the Hungaroring. Inevitably, the first question was about how he felt being here, at the site of the very serious accident that ended his 2009 season prematurely.

“Of course this is a very special place for me, after what happened, but I have plenty of other memories from here,” said the Brazilian. “There was a very bad weekend in 2007 when I qualified badly and had to race from the back, then in 2008, I had one of the best races of my career here, going from third on the grid to first at the first corner, I was controlling the race from the front until, with three laps to go, the engine blew up. Then last year came that unbelievable accident, the most unbelievable thing that ever happened in my life. So, now I am looking forward to this weekend, as I like the track and the whole place is nice. I expect we can be competitive, especially as the tyres Bridgestone have brought here are the ones that seem best adapted to the F10.”

Questions were also asked about events in Hockenheim on Sunday. “We all know that sometimes, you go through difficult times, but you learn from them, move forward and I feel very strong and I will be looking for the win this weekend.”

But as Felipe himself pointed out in the conference, the media seemed keen to put words in his mouth, asking the Brazilian if he felt he had let his country down, if he was working for his team-mate and if he was the number 2 driver at Ferrari. Showing remarkable calmness and control, Felipe dealt with it all in his usual professional style: “I would not do anything to let my country down, as it is the most important thing to me, as it is my home. No, I am not working for my team-mate, I am working for my team and if I ever feel I am a Number 2 driver in a team, that will be the day I stop racing.”