FERRARI: Target Is Three 1/2 Finishes

(from autosport)

Ferrari believe their world championship ambitions are still alive, despite a disastrous Singapore Grand Prix leaving them trailing Lewis Hamilton.

A pitstop blunder resulted in Felipe Massa leaving the pits with his refuelling rig still attached to his car, effectively wrecking his evening, while Kimi Raikkonen crashed out near the end of the race.

Ferrari's troubles mean Hamilton now has a seven-point advantage in the drivers' standings over Massa, which means he can finish second to the Brazilian in the final three races and still win the title.

But Ferrari are not downbeat about the situation and instead are now only focused on scoring the one-two finishes that will secure Massa the crown.

Team principal Stefano Domenicali said: "We have three races to go, and we will approach the last three races with the fact we can do first and second every time. We have the potential to do it, so the target is very clear.

"It is not easy, but don't forget that we have faced a very difficult situation over the last couple of years, and we were sometimes able to win, sometimes unfortunately to lose, but the motivation is still the same.

"The team are very strong, but unfortunately you have the moments like today. But two hours after the race, we were already motivated and looking forward to doing to Japan to attack again."

With Raikkonen writing off his own championship chances after his Singapore crash, Domenicali said he was sure the Finn would do everything he could to help Massa win the title.

"I'm pretty sure he knows what he has to do," said Domenicali. "He will fight because he's part of the team, so I don't have any doubt about that."

 

If they can do that, it will certainly make the end of season one of the most exciting in recent memory. Can't wait to sit back and watch the action.

 

Agreed, as long as they clean up their game, no more errors.


Robert

 

A Hami DNF puts Massa right back in it. Hami's due...

 

+100

 

there is a possiblity of Kimi crashing into Lewis, and not into the wall..

 

Now now Brian, that is not very sporting. Seriously, I hope it goes down to Brasil, if it rains in the next two races, I think Ferrari will have their hands full, but they should walk Brasil.

 

The script for the next race cant have Lewis finishing more that 2 points ahead of Massa. In fact I think Massa will take a bite out of Lewis's lead.

 

LoL..

 

Depends on the weather for the next two races, although anything can happen. My bet is it goes down to Brasil and we know what Massa can do there.

 

I get Franco, it's a script when Massa's on his back foot, and it's not when Lewis is!! ...admit SPA was unjust then.

And NO I aint forgetting it.

 

The odds are against it in a dry race. Kimi is NOT qualifying with any authority to make this happen. That being said its the only way Ferrari can get both titles. I hope for the best but past performance over 1 qualifying lap for Kimi is not reassuring. Id love to see that. I have no doubt in the dry Massa will be on pole or P2. If we can get 2 dry races I think it can be done if Kimi can get on the front row. Even 3rd for Kimi is risky for Ferrari and this stated strategy. I shall have all my fingers crossed that this 1-2 finishing goal can be achieved.

 

All this talk of Kimi helping Massa, what the hell has Hekki done for Lewis?

 

Sweet FA

 

To be honest, given the reliability of the Mclaren LH doesnt need any help. I think thats the biggest difference this year. LH keeps it on the track and the car doesnt break. Hard combination to beat when you throw a couple of win in the mix as well. Speed, reliability and consistent high points finishes with a couple wins = title.

 

Thats the $100 million dollar question.

 

FERRARI: Target Is Three 1/2 Finishes

Presumably that's been the target all season, but they haven't been able to do it. It's hard to see what's going to change that in the last three races.

 

as long as it doesn't rain ferrari will be just fine. we've had rain and half the GPs and Ferrari never fares well in the wet. Mclaren, on the other hand is inferior in the dry but not to the same degree, hence their comeback.

 

Correct.

 

It looks like Ferrari is going to lose Massa the championship this year.

 

As opposed to March, when the "target" was 18 1/2 finishes?

If wishes were fishes ...

They've sure been trying hard enough to.

The pit crew cost him Monaco and Singapore, and if the unsafe release (light system) in Valencia had been a drive-through instead of a fine, they could have cost him that one, too. Then there's Hungary.

For a so-called "mid field driver", Ferrari has had to go to ridiculous extremes to keep Massa behind Lewis in the points.

 

That seems very realistic with KR performance for the past....season.

 

It's going to be real tough to consistently get the 1-2 particularly if there is rain where the Lewis/McLaren combo is really good. I believe that Ferrari have finished their testing quota as well. So future developments would be kind worked out in the simulators and at the races. I doubt we can expect a magic bullet.

The Ferrari seems to be a lousy car to overtake with and both the drivers don't have the confidence to execute moves like Lewis. Raikkonen needs to come out of his funk and do what Schumi did when he restarted racing in end of the season in 1999.

 

These things never pan out the way people calculate them. Definitely not this season.

I'm almost 100% certain that Hami as well as Massa each have another massive blunder somewhere that will result in no podium.

PS: Isn't it laughable how some media still discuss Kubica as WDC contender? IMHO that would require 3 races in which Massa and Hami take each other out. I like Sauber-BMW, but c'mon lets be realistic.

 

Yes it's true dat!! I'm happy with whatever happens, as long as MAX keeps his perverted fat face out of proceedings.