Crucial pit stop practice to start off the Japanese week for Ferrari
Nearly the whole team has now arrived at Suzuka, where the 16th grand prix of the season will take place this weekend. There are only two names missing from the roll call: Felipe Massa is busy this evening at the National Museum of Tokyo for the promotional launch of the 458 Challenge for the Japanese market while Stefano Domenicali will arrive in Japan tomorrow.
Fernando Alonso made a trip to the circuit in the afternoon and used the chance both to make contact with his technical team and to carry out his traditional inspection lap of the track on a bicycle.
In the meantime the mechanics went through their usual pit stop practice. They have increased the training programme given that it wasn’t possible to carry out what was planned last week because of the frenzy of activity between one flyaway grand prix and the other. At a time of the season in which the pit stops could be ever more decisive it’s crucial to take the maximum care over every detail.
While President Luca di Montezemolo spoke to both drivers yesterday and had this to say, “Fernando sounded very focused and determined, just like the whole team. It’s an important time and I’m sure that everyone will give everything they have in order to achieve our objectives. Felipe is and will always stay a number one driver for Ferrari. I expect the performances of a number one driver from him – both in the next four races and, with different tyres, next year. Those will be crucial to bring us wins next season and to take important points from our opponents in the battle for this world championship.”
