I hope the car will be more competitive - Massa
As dusk approached at the Marina Bay circuit, Felipe Massa met the media to start the weekend’s activities in the run up to the Singapore Grand Prix, at a track that the Ferrari man feels is unique.
“You could not have more of a contrast between the very fast Monza track where we were two weeks ago and this one here in Singapore, from every point of view; downforce levels, tyres, corners, everything,” Felipe Massa began. “I hope our car is better suited to this track and will be more competitive. The Singapore circuit should be better adapted to the characteristics of our car, but we have to be careful, because there have been time this season that we have gone well at circuits that we did not expect to and vice versa. It’s hard to say until we have actually been out on track for the first free practice sessions.”
Felipe reckons this track is one of the most demanding on the calendar. “Although it reminds you of Monaco because it is a street circuit, a lap here is like doing two laps of Monaco as it is such a long lap. At the moment, the weather looks similar to last year, with some rain every day, although, ever since we have been coming to Singapore for the Grand Prix, it does not seem to rain in the evening. It’s true that rain here would make life more tricky than at any other circuit except Monaco. Rain on a street circuit always makes life very complicated for everyone and has a big effect, making the race an incident packed lottery. As we have never really run in the rain at night, it’s hard to say what effect a combination of rain and artificial light would have on visibility, but if it happens we will have to deal with it.”
As to the fact that the two championship’s, Drivers’ and Constructors’ are already all but won, Felipe explained this does not change his nor the team’s approach to the remaining six Grands Prix. “The most important thing for a driver is to try and win races and try and win the title. But every race is an important thing and a driver has to race to win from start to finish. This year’s championship is virtually decided, but it changes nothing in my approach or that of the team to every remaining race, where will be trying our hardest and particularly trying to improve our performance in qualifying.” Mathematically, Sebastian Vettel can retain the Drivers’ title for 2011 this weekend and Felipe was asked what he thought of the German’s performance. “Vettel deserves it, because, even if he is in the most competitive car on the grid, what he has done is incredible and the title is well deserved. It’s not nice when the championship is over as early as this, but he did the job in the best car and this is the result.”
Source Ferrari
