Felipe Massa Wrooom event notes

Felipe Massa - "I feel stronger"

Madonna di Campiglio, 15th January 2009 - During the traditional Wrooom event Felipe Massa spoke to the media: "From the driver's point of view the F60 is a completely different car compared to the previous single-seater. It has a higher downforce, slides much more, although much has been done with the tyres, and then there's the KERS, a new component, we need to get used to quickly. The front wing is another element we have to work with a lot; but only after the first few races, when we're on the track with all the other cars, we'll see if the measure is excessive.

We didn't drive a lot at Mugello and we never went to the limit. Therefore we can't give an overall and definite impression. Regarding the KERS the results were better than expected. Using all the possibilities while braking we could reach the system's highest possible level. The system is there to improve performance, but it could also be helpful for overtaking. The fact that there are batteries on board makes the safety even more important for the driver and the technicians, working with the car.

Due to the new rules there will be much more work; but we just have to get used to it, like in the past with the traction control and the engine brakes. Driving mistakes might happen, but they won't be caused by the electronics.

Regarding the perspectives for the 2009 Championship the Brazilian driver said: "Due to all the changes this Championship will be as if starting from zero for everyone; it's difficult to say who our main competitors will be, but when we consider the last season McLaren, BMW and Peugeot seem to there." Felipe is sure that there will be several surprises. He expects Hamilton to be very competitive, but what happened last season will be a stimulus for him, without any negative pressure.

Felipe came to Formula One racing during the era of video games, so he wasn't surprised at all about all the changes over the last years; he's not convinced that there is a rule he would change for the simple fact, that they all have been introduced to make racing more competitive. He's not happy about the cost cutting going on at the moment, although it's necessary, or about limiting test sessions, because it's bad for the staff and, as far as he is concerned, lets him spend less time with the Team on the track, which will have to be made up with simulations.

Last year's mishaps helped him to grow, because working with negative results makes him learn for the future. It's difficult to remember another F1 Championship that has been decided in the last race. But Felipe just wants to learn from this defeat and grow stronger. He feels more mature today and sees himself in the best situation since he started racing in Formula 1.

He's happy racing in different countries and he thinks that it's important in economical terms, but also because he likes to see places he doesn't know. He likes Bahrain and he hopes it will be the same in Abu Dhabi. The Championship's last race in Brazil was especially exciting for Felipe. He's not displeased at all that he won't be able to repeat this feeling in 2009, because maybe this year's outcome might be decided during the season. For the future he hopes to race in France once again, because he likes the country and he likes to think back to his victory at Magny-Cours.

For quite a while people have been talking about Alonso coming to Ferrari. "For two years people have been talking about it and I still haven't seen him. These are just rumours. Sometimes they come true and sometimes they don't. We have our contracts; we'll see after two years; many things can change, but for now we're only talking about rumours," Felipe said.

-credit: ferrari