Formula One: Japanese Grand Prix – 1 race, 24 different reactions! (Part 2)
The feature continues with word from the Ferrari camp.
Ferrari
Fernando Alonso believed that it was a postive day considering the bigger picture. Describing Suzuka as a track custom built to suit the set up that showcased the strengths of the Red Bull, he and his team did a fine job to claim the final step of the podium.
From a championship point of view, it was a small price to pay as he merely lost 3 points on the race leader Mark Webber.
The Spaniard was quick to point out that he was lucky seeing the back of Robert Kubica early in the race – It meant one less race contender to worry about. After an average start, which the former Renault driver attributed to a faulty clutch, over taking
Jenson Button was an even bigger achievement. The first part of the race, featured a defensive strategy as far as the Ferrari was concerned; partly to keep the McLarens in check, especially Button who was scheduled to stop last of the top 5.
After the first set of pit stops, he believed that the McLarens were no longer as competative as thought, which meant focus was on the Red Bulls in front. However, despite driving the wheels of the Ferrari, the front duo was simply much superior to be challenged
on track. They were prefectly set up and were hard to beat, on the day. On the flip side, bearing in mind the 2010 season, the Red Bulls have been a touch inconsistent; otherwise they would have already mathematically won the drivers and constructor’s championship.
Alonso added that the team should be optimistic for the three races that still awaited this season – With competition so intense at the top, it came down to making the most out of little things. He talked about trying to improve the model with every passing
race that included trying out a new oil from Shell and other aerodynamic updates – The ‘Kaizen’ approach argued by some business minds which involves constant improvement; a small step by step climb to the top. The Spaniard concluded that in the end, it all
came down to beating the championship leader in future races. As far as Japan was concerned, he and Ferrari could bid farewell with their heads held high.
Felipe Massa had a disastrous race as he was taken out in the first lap – ‘Cursed’, as he phrased it himself. Qualifying was a disappointing fiasco as he failed to make it to the final session of qualifying due to heavy traffic. The race, if it could ever
be called so, assuming that he didn’t even get the chance to make it through the first two corners. Talking about his start, the Brazilian commented that owing to Rosberg’s poor start, he tried to overtake him but was blocked by an emerging Sutil. Moving to
the opposite direction, he found himself on the grass and the kerb as the car lost control owing to the lack of grip. With a car moving sideways out of its own accord, Massa ended up colliding with Liuzzi’s Force India. It was a missed opportunity for the
driver because the Ferrari could have easily managed a point’s finish owing to the performance his team mate got out of the same car.
The Brazilian driver diagnosed that his main problem was qualifying well. And while this was an outing no different (despite the traffic), he paid heavily being bottled up at the rear end of the top 10. He deemed himself as a better race driver as he argued
that he found the situation during the race, a touch to his liking as he felt that the Ferrari was extremely efficient at overtaking other cars. The past few Grand Prix have been frustrating for the sixth placed Ferrari. However, taking the glass hall full
approach, things have changed rather quickly this season and with the Ferrari driver ready to give it his all, Ferrari could be a force to reckon with in the dying stages of the season.
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