Ferrari has found the direction to follow according to Massa

At the end of the first week of private tests in Barcelona, Scuderia Ferrari did not necessarily reassure observers as much as it would have liked. However, the Italian firm had made its intentions clear even before these tests began, stating that the team would continue its in-depth work to develop a car with a completely new philosophy, unlike some of its rivals.

However, after completing more than 100 laps in one day for the first time this year and securing the fifth-best time of Friday’s session, Felipe Massa seems to see the light at the end of the tunnel: « In the afternoon, we were able to do more than 8 or 9 laps that were very consistent, and it was very positive. We still have a lot of work to do, but at least we have found a direction to have a much better car to drive, not just for setting times but also for consistency. […] I think this is definitely the direction we need to follow for the last few test days coming up, and I believe today was a positive day, not so much in the morning but in the afternoon » the Brazilian confided to journalists present in Barcelona. « I must say that now we are a bit more positive because we have found the direction in which to work, and I am sure that now that we have a course, we will see the development follow. […] In the past, we didn’t have as many avenues to explore. This year we have so many directions, so many possibilities, that the most important thing was to find the right one, and I am sure we have found it. »

While Alonso estimated that Ferrari only knew 20% of their new car, Felipe Massa is more optimistic, and when a journalist asks him how he would assess Ferrari’s preparation at the end of this Barcelona week, the Brazilian replies: I would rate it at more than five [out of ten] but there is still work to be done to get closer to where we want to be.

However, only four days of testing remain for the men from Maranello to best prepare for Melbourne, in addition to two promotional filming sessions which, although subject to many constraints, could potentially help the team to improve in handling their car. Ferrari also announced that, like Red Bull, they have decided to postpone their last testing session by one day, running on the Barcelona circuit from Friday, March 2 to Monday, March 5.

Some rivals, including Mark Webber, refuse to count Ferrari, and especially Fernando Alonso, out: « As long as Fernando [Alonso] has a steering wheel in his hands, he’s always in the game, so you can never dismiss him. We’ve already seen in the past that people may not be very organized during winter testing, but then they arrive extremely prepared for the race » recalls the Australian, possibly remembering the case of McLaren, which, in the winter of 2011, was more or less in the situation Ferrari currently finds itself, before becoming Red Bull’s main opponent starting in Melbourne.