Formula 1: Felipe Massa confident about Pirelli tyres
Felipe Massa had a disastrous 2010 Formula 1 season after his return to the sport from a life-threatening injury. However, the Brazilian is hoping for much better results in 2011 since Pirelli are going to be the new official tyre suppliers of the sport.
Massa returned to Ferrari in 2010 after a gap of almost 8 months after he had a near-fatal accident during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. Massa was hit in the head by a spring that flew from the car in front of him. It was one of the scariest incidents of
the sport and the Brazilian went into a coma after the accident.
In 2010, Felipe claimed that the tyres Bridgestone introduced in the season did not suite his driving style which did not allow him to perform at his best. Michael Schumacher also gave the same reason for his failure in his comeback season. However, both
of them seem quite confident about 2011 since Bridgestone has withdrawn from the sport and now Pirelli is going to be the lone tyre supplying company of the sport.
Felipe Massa is hoping that Pirelli will provide him with the best possible package in terms of grip and pace which would help him restore his fortunes in Formula 1.
“My first contact was very positive. I found the car easier to drive with the front tyres having more grip; I could go into the corners in the way I like to drive,” he said.
On the other hand, his teammate Fernando Alonso had a great season in 2010 and he managed to finish in second place in the drivers’ standings in the exact same car. He did not have any problems with Bridgestone tyres and believes that Pirellis are very different
from them.
“We'll know more at the next test in Valencia, which will be very interesting. My style of driving will definitely have a little change [for 2011],” said Fernando.
Ferrari were quite disappointed with the result at the grand finale in Abu Dhabi where Fernando Alonso lost his championship bid due to poor team planning and as a result, Sebastian Vettel became the 2010 Formula 1 champion.
The team is hoping for nothing less than two titles in 2011 and it would be interesting to see their new car on 28 January, 2011 at their annual media event, “Wrooom.”
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