Time to going racing again - Massa
As the season will finally kick-off this weekend during the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Ferrari driver Felipe Massa talks about his preparations for the 2007 season and his expectations for the first race.
Felipe Massa "I have been at home in Brazil until I left for Melbourne on Sunday and I am really looking forward to going racing again. We tested last time in Bahrain, where we had six days of testing with a two day gap in the middle. It turned out to be a great final test in terms of the F2007's performance and reliability and in getting the guys working together in race weekend mode. After that, I would have to say we are ready to start the season.
Some people have been making something of the fact that, mostly, I have been fractionally quicker than Kimi, but I do not see it as anything significant. For sure, testing is testing and the racing is racing. But I can say that I am very happy with the way things went. I was very familiar with the car and I know the team personnel and how they all work and everything was going pretty well. Kimi on the other hand was still learning and getting to know the team. Now we will see what happens in Melbourne, as this is the moment that the answer comes.
I have been happy to see Michael (Schumacher) at some tests. I noticed him watching from the track side during the shakedown and of course it is odd to see him no longer in the role of driver. But that's the way it is. It's a new life for him, but he is also doing a great job helping the team on the technical side and also in terms of helping the new organisation of the team. For me it is only a very positive thing to have him there and I am sure that if he comes to some races this season, I will not hesitate to ask his advice in any area I need it and I am sure he will be happy to help me, Kimi and the team. He is important for the team but also for us drivers. We need to learn what is the best way to make use of him and that will evolve during the year.
At this point last year, just before my first grand prix as a Ferrari driver, I know that many people were sceptical about my ability. Now, twelve months later, with some wins and pole positions in the bag, I think I have changed a lot and I am stronger mentally. If you look at the last two years, I have improved a lot and I have much more experienced. I can still improve some more, but this is a great time for me and a great moment in my career.
As for the race weekends, I am happy that we will be doing more laps on Friday, as it is important to be as well prepared as possible. The last couple of years we did hardly any laps on this day to save the engine, but not it's a free situation and we will work to prepare the cars and the team as well as possible. Also, for the people who come to watch, they will see more action and now all drivers will be working under equal conditions, rather than just having the third drivers free to push their cars to the limit on Friday.
The other big change is the single tyre supplier and this too is a good thing in my opinion. I think it is the fairest way for everyone and the best for the spectators. We will see in Melbourne where the Albert Park circuit is not an easy track layout to start the season. It is a technical circuit but I like it, because I have always been very competitive there, but not very lucky. Twice, I've been involved in accidents at the start in Australia, so hopefully I have got my bad luck for this place out of the way now! The start of the first race is always a very exciting moment in the season, even though I am not a rookie any more. I feel pretty relaxed about everything now. The only thing that I am impatient about is to get started with the proper season after all this testing and I hope at Ferrari we can have the best possible start to the year. Melbourne is a great place to start the season and it's nice that this year it goes back to being the opening race again. I like the country, the city and the people so I'm looking forward to the trip".
