Ferrari: Massa considers the F138 better born than the F2012
While pre-season tests are often difficult to interpret, with teams adopting different paces and development strategies, the initial sensations are often revealing: Felipe Massa's impressions regarding the first laps are worlds apart from those at the start of last season.
If Ferrari had already announced before the beginning of these tests that they were not looking for performance, the first day of the first winter tests of the season /f1/actualite/14929-programme-des-essais-de-jerez-bianchi-roulera-pour-force-india-.html, in Jerez, at least allowed Felipe Massa, the first driver of the Scuderia to debut the F138, to measure how much water has flowed under the bridge since the last visit of F1 on the Spanish track, last year, for the same pre-season tests: « I think if you compare to last year, we are on a completely different planet, » stated the Paulista to the journalists present on site.
Remembering the beginnings of its predecessor, the F2012, Felipe Massa continues: « Last year, I remember that we had a lot of trouble driving the car. It was difficult to keep the car on the track, so this year the car’s base is totally different. [It] is much more balanced. I’ve had good feelings with the rear of the car so far, with the traction. It’s a circuit that is very difficult for the rear, the [tire] degradation is very significant. I must say that the difference from last year is immense. »
Difficulties have nevertheless arisen, such as a rather ineffective cockpit cooling, but the Brazilian is not too worried about it: « I don’t think it’s a difficult thing to fix. Engaged for the first three days – before handing over to the newcomer, Pedro de la Rosa, on Friday – the 2008 vice-world champion is well aware that the task of developing the new car is only just beginning: « There is still a lot to do, a lot to work on, a lot to develop on the car for the first race. It’s clear. But I’m not disappointed.
When asked about the day’s performances, particularly Jenson Button’s 1:18.861 lap in the McLaren MP4-28, Felipe Massa states that it’s an incredible time, really. As for Mark Webber’s second time, at 1:19.709, he says it is not. For the record, the Ferrari driver ranked sixth on this first day of testing in Jerez, with a time of 1:20.536.
