Massa: You come to Spa with a feeling of anticipation

Felipe Massa arrived at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit from a Brazilian winter, to find the usual Ardennes mix of rain and sunshine. He also found that the media still look back to the last race, even coming after a long summer break, as he was asked about his strong performance in Hungary when he faced the press at the usual meeting in the Scuderia Ferrari motorhome.

“My pace was very good in qualifying, in the race, even in the rain, but unfortunately, I lost control of the car, touching the white line which spoilt my race in Budapest,” said Felipe looking back almost one month. “But my overall performance at the last race means I feel confident for this weekend, at a track that I like a lot. I hope that we can have a much better final part of the season, starting with a good result here in Spa on Sunday. This is a fantastic track and you come to Spa with a feeling of anticipation and pleasure. It has plenty of high speed corners, which I enjoy, even if the famous Eau Rouge is not really a corner anymore in a modern Formula 1 car.”

Like everyone whose career crossed paths with that of Michael Schumacher, Felipe was asked for his recollections of the German who celebrates the twentieth anniversary of his Formula 1 debut this weekend. “I have many memories of Michael and one year I remember very well was 1994, when I still just a kid,” recalled the Brazilian. "Michael was a very strong competitor, leading the championship and he became already famous in Brazil, because he was a young guy, already being ahead of Ayrton Senna in the championship, giving him a hard time. So this made a well known name in Brazil. I don’t think I can say that Michael was quicker than Senna, because you only have to look back at Ayrton’s qualifying performances, but I would put them both at the same level. Michael has had the most incredible career which is unmatched in Formula 1 and his record is really amazing: a twentieth anniversary is very important and I am happy for him that he has reached it, but I think his record in terms of what he achieved, wins, poles etcetera, is more significant than the number of years. What do I wish him for this weekend? For sure, I hope he has a good race, but behind me!"