(from autosport) Felipe Massa is sure that Ferrari have made a step forward with their F2008, after claiming that the car has improved in the areas where its predecessor was weak. The longer wheelbase F2007 struggled last year against rivals McLaren on the tighter, slower circuits, and the team's decision to shorten their car for 2008 is aimed at addressing this area. Speaking during a break in testing at Jerez in Spain, Massa said that early impressions of the car were that it was just as good as the F2007 in quick corners, but much better in the slower bends. "The car is definitely good for me: we've made a step forward especially in the slow corners," said Massa. "As for the quick corners, the car is pretty good as it was last year too. So I think we've improved the car a bit in that aspect. "With this car it's a bit easier to be without traction control. We had a good feeling on the kerbs at the chicane here, so I'm happy from the start about the car's balance. We didn't have to work so much on the car to get good lap times, so it's definitely positive." Despite his optimism about the improvements, Massa still thinks it is too early to say with confidence that the car will have no weak areas - and that the true verdict on the job the team have done will only come in Australia. "I think at the moment we haven't seen weak points on the cars," he said. "Obviously we'll find some if we aren't ahead at the first race, but at the moment we're on the right track. "Not only we are running consistent laps without problems on the car, but we are also setting good lap times. "So at the moment we are happy but not content yet: we still need to work to be even quicker at the first race."
It is not an issue of weaknesses in the car, it is an issue of weaknesses in the driver. Ferrari will be competitive in 2008, whether Massa will be is another question entirely.
Massa has nothing to prove after the performance he put on last year. There were many races where he carried the team and prevented the Mclaren driver's from gaining valuable points!
That's BS Ted. Schumacher showed how a bad car in 2005 and 2006 and affect a great driver. Massa carried Ferrari the first half of the season, kept the Scuderia from being totally embarrassed, and would have been there at the end if it were not for stupid mistakes by his crew.
+1 i think the low point of Massa's season last year was the horrible Malaysian GP start and that red light thing.
Massa will always do good as long as he is in a top car. Put him in a Honda, and the results will be different
Yea you're right, if it wasn't for Massa everyone would have continued to be totally embarrassed with Kimi's pole to checkered flag win in Australia.
are you still dumping it all on the crew? seriously? massa contributed to those 'mistakes' ya know...
...yeah!!!! especially in the NO GAS outting on Q2, he should have come down and filled her up himself ya know ...come on man, give the guy some credit...
you must be joking. He managed to go from 3rd place in the title race in 2006 to 4th place in 2007, getting soundly beaten by a rookie in the process. All he proved last year was that you can build a championship-winning car and put a mediocre driver in it, and all you will get is a mediocre 4th place in the title hunt. 4 drivers had race winning cars last season...4 drivers. Where did Massa finish? A distant 4th. At least half the current grid could replicate his performance if they were in the Ferrari and a good many of them could do better. Massa has a great deal to prove next year. Primarily that he is deserving of a seat with Ferrari.
Just what this section needed, yet another thread turning into Massa bashing and Massa defending. No wonder only the same 15 or so people out of nearly 52,000 registered users post in this section. Ridiculous. Honest to god don't you guys get tired of it ?
Never. The weakness of the #2 2007 car is the same as in the #2 2008 car: It's that bit between the fuel tank and the steering wheel.
precisely. i mean, i think u have to be fair, bash the guy if he needs some bashing, but also, give him some credit if he needed one. for example, i was bloody disappointed and was one of the 1st to bash Massa for his start at the Malaysian GP. then there was that silly mistake at Canada. but at the same time, he had some great drives at Australia, Bahrain, Spain, Spa, Brazil, Britain, and Japan. so, be fair
