Ferrari’s Felipe Massa feels race pace is not ‘satisfactory’ – Formula 1 Update
Recent reports have revealed that Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa has said that he feels Ferrari’s race pace is not enough for the up-coming races of the 2011 season.
He also mentioned that if the upgraded car is better in the Chinese Grand Prix, then there is a need to improve and push it. Massa feels that Ferrari need to get up to race pace, if they are to have any chance of catching up with the Red Bull team.
Ferrari started their opening practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix with the new aerodynamic part test. Team sources stated that the drivers are currently focusing their efforts on this new upgraded feature of the 150° Italia car, but they are worried
as to why the part has not delivered the extra down-force during the session.
The Ferrari team feels that this issue could be the result of its correlation issue with the wind tunnel. Ferrari put all their efforts on the aerodynamic simulation work during the opening practice in China to get a better understanding of previous issues,
as Massa is still hoping that these efforts will pay off.
Massa told the media, "For sure we are working on the problems, but it is also true that there were only five days from one race to another for us to bring new pieces. It is important that everyone is on the case to improve as quickly as possible the car,
and that is what we are planning to do."
Reporters discussed with Massa on whether or not Ferrari was more competitive in the first two races held in Australia and Malaysia than in qualifying. Felipe responded, "Yes, but that is not enough if we are more than one second slower in qualifying. Even
if the car is better in the race, we still need to push and improve because it is not enough."
Massa had a disappointing start to the 2011 Formula 1 season and again he had a challenging beginning to his weekend in China. Despite of his current performance, he is still looking for a positive podium position.
On the other hand, Fernando Alonso finished in 12th place during the first practice session, due to having some technical issues in his car.
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