BRITISH GP: Massa Optimistic With New Chassis | FerrariChat

BRITISH GP: Massa Optimistic With New Chassis

Discussion in 'F1' started by RP, Jun 16, 2009.

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  1. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

    Feb 9, 2005
    17,667
    Bocahuahua, Florxico
    Full Name:
    Tone Def
    (from Autosport, Ferrari PR, wires, time for distraction from politics)

    Felipe Massa is confident that aerodynamic updates and the introduction of a lighter chassis will help lift the performance of Ferrari at this weekend's British Grand Prix.

    Although the Brazilian and his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen had a disappointing time in Turkey a fortnight ago, he is sure that the high-speed Silverstone track should suit the team's improved car better.

    "On paper, this weekend's British Grand Prix takes place at a track with some similarities to the last race in Istanbul, where we were not so competitive," said Massa, who conducted an aerodynamic shakedown at Fiorano on Monday.

    "This weekend's track also features fast corners, flowing sections and a final slow sector and we will have the same two types of tyre from Bridgestone, but that doesn't mean I think we will struggle as much as we did a fortnight ago.

    "For a start, the new components we have on the car this weekend, including a front wing and a lighter chassis, should make us more competitive."

    Massa believes that progress should be guaranteed because the team realises the mistakes that it made in Istanbul.

    "In Turkey we went backwards over the course of the weekend, after being very competitive on Friday and on Saturday morning. We now know why that happened, which is the most important thing: we believe that with the very high track temperatures, we ran too low on the downforce and should have run with more rear wing, because as the temperature rises, the grip from the tyres went down and we needed to compensate for that.

    "As the temperature gradually got higher, our cars were running slower and slower in the first sector of the track; the one where you need the most downforce. In other words, the problem we had was related to the way we worked, rather than any specific fault on the car.

    "So I think we can be more competitive this weekend, with these changes to the car."

    For the Silverstone race, the team will introduce aero modifications as well as suspension changes to help weight distribution and a new, lighter KERS.
     
  2. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
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    David
    What sort of "aerodynamic shakedown" is allowed under the rules? I know that some straight line testing is allowed but that's done somewhere beside Fiorano isn't it?
     
  3. AlexO91

    AlexO91 F1 Rookie

    Sep 26, 2008
    2,909
    NW England
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    Alex
    All sounds very promising, if they can live upto expectations then the weekend should be fun :).
     

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