Friday: Q3 Objective for Ferrari
Studious day for Ferrari, who conducted comparisons of aerodynamic configurations before focusing on tire analysis and finding the right settings. In this area, Felipe Massa wasn't successful, but Ferrari is confident for tomorrow and aims to reach Q3 in qualifying, which they didn't achieve the past week.
Fernando Alonso – 15th and 6th:
« As usual in Malaysia, one of the main tasks on Friday is to acclimate to the extreme conditions as quickly as possible. You particularly suffer from the heat in the garage when you are in the cockpit: at least, on the track, you get a bit of air, although it’s not exactly refreshing!
This morning we did a lot of work to compare different aerodynamic configurations, which was a bit like doing a puzzle trying to find the pieces that fit together.
In the afternoon, we then did the usual work with the tires by running with different fuel loads on board. I must say that, from this point of view, the medium and hard tires seem to behave reasonably well, both in terms of performance on the first lap and when they start to degrade on long runs.
We have gathered a lot of useful information that will allow us to be ready for the rest of the weekend. It didn’t rain today, but we know that a storm can strike without warning, so we must be prepared for any eventuality.
Felipe Massa – 13th and 16th:
« Fernando and I were on rather different programs from each other, and that’s the main reason to explain the differences in time. In the afternoon, in particular, we went in completely different directions which, in my case, didn’t pay off, but at least allowed me to understand some important points regarding the car’s maneuverability.
Now, my engineers and I know the right direction, which allows me to be more optimistic for the qualifications than last week in Melbourne.
Clearly, at the moment, our car is not yet competitive at the highest level. Do I feel any particular pressure? No more than usual: at Ferrari, we are always under pressure. The important thing is to understand what didn’t work in Melbourne, and I think we have everything we need to achieve that.
