To repeat the Bahrain result - Massa

You needed a long memory to realize that Felipe Massa was one of the drivers in today's FIA Press Conference at the Circuit de Catalunya, by virtue of the fact he was the last winner: the Bahrain Grand Prix took place a month ago. Indeed this was one of the topics raised and the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver was of the opinion that although it was good to have a break, "maybe it was a bit long to go without a race."

It has not all been holiday for the Brazilian, as he was testing here last week. "We worked very hard at the test and it looks to have produced a good improvement," he maintained. "But we have to remember that our closest rivals were very strong in the first three races and they will also have made progress." Commenting on the fast pace of development in this sport and the way most teams have produced a long list of modifications for this race, Felipe felt it was just part of the challenge of this sport. "Drivers have to adapt very quickly in F1 to all the changes. For example, some people reckoned we had an advantage over those who had not used Bridgestone last year, but the tyres they produced for this year were so different, all of us had to adapt to them as quickly as possible." As for the modifications to the circuit which are aimed at slowing the cars on the grounds of safety, Massa agrees it should improve the show and described the changed portion of the track as "a little bit of Monaco in Barcelona."

The Canadian GP is still three races away but Massa and the other drivers on the panel were asked for their thoughts about racing there without Michael Schumacher or Jacques Villeneuve. Felipe is ideally placed to comment having been team-mates to both men. "Of course the man who will be most missed is Jacques, because he is Canadian and we will be in Canada and also we will be remembering the 25th anniversary of the death of his father, Gilles. Michael drove some fantastic races in Montreal of course, but the crowd always went crazy for Jacques."

And finally, a target for this weekend? "To repeat the Bahrain result or at least be on the podium."