CHINA GP: Massa, Lesson Learned, Ferrari Less Complacent | FerrariChat
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CHINA GP: Massa, Lesson Learned, Ferrari Less Complacent

Discussion in 'F1' started by RP, Apr 17, 2009.

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  1. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

    Feb 9, 2005
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    #1 RP, Apr 17, 2009
    From Autosport


    Felipe Massa says Ferrari will avoid the complacency that left him in the midfield in the Malaysian Grand Prix and will start operating differently from this weekend's Shanghai event.

    The Brazilian was only 16th on the grid at Sepang after Ferrari believed he would not need a second run in Q1, only for other drivers to improve and push him out of the Q2 qualification spots.

    Massa said that proved Ferrari was in a totally different situation to 2008 and had to work accordingly.

    "We learnt first of all, in my case, that we don't have the same car as last year," he said.

    "We cannot go into Q1 and think we are going to be easily into Q2. We need to fight hard in Q1 to get into Q2, and we need to fight even harder in Q2 to be in Q3.

    "To fight hard, you need to use all your possibilities - which means more sets of tyres. That was one mistake, but we will not repeat that mistake. Maybe we will not pass through to Q2, but it will be for that reason – not because we did not try another set of tyres.

    "We are working hard to improve every area and not to have any problems any more."

    Ferrari has decided not to use its KERS in China after reliability problems during the previous two races. Massa had mixed feelings about the loss of the system, admitting that it was far from perfect, but suggesting that Ferrari will lose pace without it.

    "The balance for sure was not easy, but the KERS was even worse for our car because we lose performance," he said.

    "That is pretty hard because we got small modifications here, we improve a little bit the car, but then we lose a lot from the KERS. So we make a step backwards without the KERS."

    He conceded that his expectations for the rest of the weekend were low.

    "Well I don't think we can expect a lot," Massa said. "We did not have a great day today so the expectation for sure is not very high. But I am a professional, so I will do my best to have a good result tomorrow and the best results possible."

    He also added his voice to the criticism of this weekend's tyre choice, with many drivers expecting Bridgestone's super softs to struggle badly in the race.

    "The super soft was okay for 10 laps, but then you lose completely the grip," said Massa. "The hard tyres were difficult for warming up, but you also had big degradation. The race will not be so easy."
     
  2. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #2 Remy Zero, Apr 17, 2009
    Fred was the other driver that slammed BS for bringing the wrong type of tyres for this race..
     
  3. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 Whisky, Apr 17, 2009
    Doesn't everyone have to deal with the same tires ?
     
  4. Barrister

    Barrister Formula Junior

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    #4 Barrister, Apr 17, 2009
    Yeah. They really looked to be taking things a lot more seriously during the practice sessions yesterday . . .

    And what was dropping KERS all about? I mean, how much tinkering can you do to a car's setup before you start seeing diminishing returns.

    I am very disappointed in the Cavillino Ramparte this year.
     
  5. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 tifosi12, Apr 17, 2009
    It's all just corporate hogwash. As if they didn't take it seriously before.

    Domenicali had a bunch of lame one liners after Sepang about team focus blablabla. Like they weren't trying before.

    The car is crap and they know it. In fact both drivers admitted so after today's disastrous practice.

    Add to that some stupid pit lane decisions (Massa qualifying, Kimi's tire choice) and the end of the points table looks pretty much what you can expect.

    Kiss this year's title chase goodbye.
     
  6. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #6 GrigioGuy, Apr 17, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'd like to think otherwise, but this screenshot stolen from elsewhere seems to bode badly for this race.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 tifosi12, Apr 17, 2009
    Looks very bad indeed.

    They will catch up in their lap times as the season progresses but by then the points gap will make them also runs gunning for the honor of the occasional podium.
     
  8. Scuderia980

    Scuderia980 F1 Rookie

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    #8 Scuderia980, Apr 17, 2009
    you mean Massa isn't being a positive, standup, candid, honest dude on his own whim? :) when i said Massa was simply spouting company PR bullsht, i was told my 'interpretation sucks'... i also go on to point out that when Hami gives the press his company PR biz, he gets slammed for it here on FChat... i guess it's ok when Massa does it :)
     
  9. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 tifosi12, Apr 17, 2009
    Don't every worry about holding back in regards to Massa. :)

    You came to the right address. Let me buy you a beer...
     
  10. R2112

    R2112 Formula 3

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    #10 R2112, Apr 17, 2009
    +1 :)
     
  11. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

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    #11 ferraridude615, Apr 17, 2009
    I like those sneakers on the bottom right. They might have more traction than that tire too.
     
  12. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 VIZSLA, Apr 17, 2009
    Yeah, complacentcy , that's the problem.
     
  13. Wolfgang5150

    Wolfgang5150 F1 Rookie

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    #13 Wolfgang5150, Apr 17, 2009
    They do, but others - the diffuser 3 namely - will have better tire wear....
     
  14. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

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    #14 beast, Apr 17, 2009
    They all have the same spec of tires to use but depending on setup and suspension geometry determines if you get great wear and grip or if you turn them into junk in short time. How the driver attacks the track has a great deal on how well the tires last. An aggressive driver will cook tires much more quickly than a driver that is smooth and flowing.
     
  15. Modeler

    Modeler F1 Veteran

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    #15 Modeler, Apr 18, 2009
    Yep and Bridgestone referred to the super softs as working well on the Brawn cars.
    The fix is very close to in.

    Lower downforce cars get more graining from the super softs however the driver approaches it.
     
  16. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

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    #16 open roads, Apr 18, 2009
    I think the car will be a little different by May. That may be too late for any title hopes. It won't be that different. Very Dissapointing start to the season. I'm saddened.
     
  17. dwhite

    dwhite F1 Rookie

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    #17 dwhite, Apr 20, 2009
    It's F1, the best cars always win. A driver can only overcome so much at this level. Ferrari has had crappy seasons in the past, they will rebound in the future.

    IMO, this season is going to be more exciting than last year which was fabulous. My only complaint so far, no Canadian GP for me and my buddies to drive up to enjoy - thanks Bernie.
     

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