Massa sets date for kart challenge By Jonathan Noble Friday, February 1st 2008, 10:35 GMT Felipe Massa has announced that his now annual end-of-season kart race will take place once again in Florianopolis on November 30.The International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs has become a big end-of-season event since it first started in 2006, attracting a host of top line drivers for major racing series.With the presence of eventual winner Michael Schumacher last year, allied to increased coverage on international television, Massa is hoping that the 2008 event will be the best one yet."Michael Schumacher's visit and the live broadcasting in Europe last year helped to raise the interest for the event," said Massa. "I have already been approached by quite a few drivers wishing to take part in 2008."But despite increased interest in the event, Massa has ruled out increasing the size of the field for now."The philosophy is to prioritize quality over quantity. Anyway, I believe that 25 or 26 karts, just like the years before, are a very reasonable number."Massa chose the end of November date to fit in with the late end to the Formula One season this year, which finishes at Interlagos on November 2.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64944年底的卡丁车挑战赛时间定下来了11.30好特殊的日子

'I love Bahrain' BAHRAIN is a special venue for Ferrari Formula One ace Felipe Massa, he has claimed, writes Patrick Salomon."I love Bahrain; it is a very nice place with very nice people," （我爱巴林，这里地方好，人也很好，）Massa told the GDN in a short exclusive interview yesterday.The Brazilian has always excelled at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), which is where he made his Grand Prix debut with Ferrari in 2006. "The BIC is one of my favourite circuits," （BIC赛道是我最喜欢的赛道之一）Massa added. "I always hope to do well here, go the fastest and win races."（我一直希望在这里做得很好，跑得最快并且赢得比赛）The 26-year-old is known to be one of the friendlier F1 drivers around the paddock. During yesterday's afternoon testing at the BIC, while taking a break outside the team building as some repairs on his car were being done in the garage,（我们在车房外面聊了一会，当他的赛车在车房里维修的时候） Massa entertained 15-year-old Sami Favre's approach for a conversation.Sami is a St Christopher's student and budding young race driver, who competes in the Formula BMW series regularly held at the BIC. "He was very friendly with me," Sami said of the Ferrari star. "I told him about how I like to race like he does, and he was telling me that that is good. He wished me the best of luck."Massa also took the time to sign the helmet of motorbike enthusiast and photographer Hamad Mohammed, and then afterwards posed for a few pictures with three young children who were touring the circuit with their parents and happened to be passing by the Ferrari building.Massa will appear at Seef Mall tomorrow for an autograph session with fans, starting at 7.30pm. The event is set to kick start the Ithmaar Group Yalla Bahrain! calendar.

2008.2巴林试车2.6日 液压系统故障2.7 休息2.8 签名2.9 试车 再次故障2.10 试车 引擎故障2.11 试车 没故障

2.20赛季前最后一次试车看还是不看呢？当然不看了，我怕好心情又被破坏了最多凌晨或是早晨看一下结果然后不管成绩怎样，不要生气，不要对他有太多的希望，巴林的测试再一次证明了，希望越大失望也越大。

Massa finishes Bahrain test on top By Pablo Elizalde Monday, February 11th 2008, 16:16 GMT Brazilian Felipe Massa posted the fastest time on the final day of testing at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain. （巴西人FM在巴林的最后一天得到了最快圈速）After two troubled days, Massa enjoyed a problem-free session and managed to complete the planned programme, which focused on finding the best set-up for the F2008 and on general development of the car. （在两天故障后，M享受了没有故障的一天，）World champion Kimi Raikkonen was less than two tenths slower after 85 laps. The Ferraris were split by German Timo Glock, who showed promising pace in the Toyota TF108, finishing less than a tenth behind Massa. "It was a good day for us," Glock said. "We did a lot of work on set-up and tried several things so in the end it has been worthwhile; we can be happy with the results. I would like to say thanks to the guys at the track and back at the factory because everyone is working so hard to make progress. "Today we looked at set-up over a longer distance and made some improvements but we still have to work hard. It has been an important test here and it has gone well. It was a good possibility to test in higher temperatures and we looked at car balance in warmer conditions as well as cooling." Jarno Trulli was also happy with his day's work after covering 86 laps. "I am quite happy with how things have gone here," he said. "We had another smooth day, completing a lot of laps and now we have to look at the data so we can improve the car. "Generally I am pleased with the two tests in Bahrain because we have done a lot of set-up work and I think we are making good progress, although of course we still need to push hard to continue our improvement." Today's times: Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:31.189 91 2. Glock Toyota (B) 1:31.209 71 3. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:31.329 85 4. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:31.689 86 All Timing Unofficial

show一下签名〓被巴林测试成绩伤到后整出来的签名〓

Ferrari's Smedley plans charity raffle By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, February 20th 2008, 13:43 GMT Ferrari team overalls signed by Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa will be on offer in a special charity raffle being organised by Rob Smedley, Massa's race engineer.Smedley is putting on a charity event at the Marton Country Club in Middlesbrough on May 30 to help raise funds for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS).Smedley and his wife Lucy lost their baby daughter Minnie last June and are holding the event to help raise funds and awareness for the charity that helped them cope with their loss.Lucy told Middlesbrough's Evening Gazzette newspaper: "The event will be a nice way to remember our daughter and also to raise money for this charity, which has been a massive help."Further information about the event, including ticket details and for those interested in offering prizes, can be obtained from [email protected].

2.21巴塞罗那测试马萨在做出最快圈速后，赛车在最后一个弯道打滑后停了下来，红牛车手韦伯在4号弯也遇到了麻烦，赛会第三次出示了红旗。上午的测试于当地时间下午1点结束。马萨凭借1分22秒442的成绩暂列第一，阿隆索、韦伯、德拉罗萨、科瓦莱宁、罗斯伯格、小皮盖特、格洛克、巴多尔、霍根伯格、库特哈德、小林梦可伟分列2到12位。午饭期间，法拉利对巴多尔的赛车引擎进行了检查。 马萨在测试最后阶段遇到了冷却系统的小故障，明天法拉利车队还将在加泰罗尼亚赛道进行为期一天的私人测试。

马萨：满意赛车新改进 期待揭幕战有惊喜出现网易体育2月23日消息法拉利车手菲利普·马萨在近日接受记者采访时表示，新车达到了预期的结果，车队正处在他们所希望的位置上，同时车队也已经确定了他们为澳大利亚揭幕战所准备的新套件。尽管本周在巴塞罗那进行的测试中，法拉利的头号竞争对手迈凯轮车队的干地测试成绩要优于他们，马萨还是认为凭借着F2008的不断进步，车队正处在理想的位置上。不过虽然他很满意新的空气动力学套件为赛车带来的提升，但是马萨依然表示他们还需要继续努力地工作来迎接迈凯轮车队的挑战。当被问及新的空气动力学套件可以带来多少秒的提高时，马萨说：“这很难精确地估算到。也许有零点几秒，不过很难做出精确的比较。但是它确实符合我们的预想，而我们也必须继续工作来研发其他部分，同时也要做好赛车调校方面的工作。不过现在我们处在所希望的位置上。”马萨还说尽管他意识到了竞争对手有多强，但是迈凯轮车队在周四做出的成绩并不值得过分在意。“对于成绩我没什么要说的。我们完成了自己的工作，我们做了我们想要做的事情。最终的成绩虽然重要，但是它们并不是最重要的。”马萨继续说道：“我们落后了千分之几秒，所以我们还有提升赛车的工作要做，以及为了将来而进行的研发工作。就像我所说的，我们处在所希望的位置上，但是我们并不能就此而停滞不前，我们还需要继续工作下去。”在周五，法拉利车队独自在西班牙的加泰罗尼亚赛道进行了私家测试，马萨做了比赛模拟的测试项目。由于过去几周在测试中的表现，媒体已经将法拉利车队列为领先车队，马萨则表示他并不在意来自媒体方面的额外压力。“完全不会有压力。去年我们总是最快的，媒体也总是这样说。所以什么都没改变，我们的目标和之前是相同的。我们必须要思考的是自己的工作而不是去想别人是怎么写我们或怎么说我们的。”“我们会在墨尔本见分晓。在第一场比赛之前我不会预言什么，因为也许我们会有一些惊喜。”马萨最后说道。(本文来源：网易体育专稿 作者：木梳)

法拉利巴塞罗那独测 F2008圈速恐怖但仍存在瑕疵新浪体育讯　2月22日，法拉利车队继续在西班牙巴塞罗那的加泰罗尼亚赛道进行试车。马萨在当日试车中完成了95圈，最快圈速为1分20秒508，超过了他本人在去年西班牙大奖赛排位赛第二节中作出的最快圈速。　　测试结束后，法拉利车队技术总监里卡多-科斯塔对当日的试车作出如下总结：“今天是一个很好的工作日，尽管并非一切都完美。卢卡(巴多尔)的赛车变速箱漏油，所以他不得不停下来。不过马萨的赛车一切正常。这意味着在墨尔本站之前，我们仍然有一些工作需要做：以确保不会因为任何一个细节的故障导致整场比赛报销。到目前为止，我们对赛车的性能非常满意，但是不可能去评价与对手相比我们所处的位置。今天只有我们在赛道上跑，所以我们没有获得真实的圈速。下周我们还会在巴塞罗那有三天试车，舒马赫也将在这里工作一天，他作为试车手的作用将非常重要。”　　法拉利在当日试车中的主要项目是模拟大奖赛，模拟的起点是第三次自由练习。马萨在当日试车中完成了95圈，最快圈速为1分20秒508，超过了他本人在去年西班牙大奖赛排位赛第二节中作出的最快圈速(1分20秒597)。巴多尔因为赛车漏油问题只完成了75圈，最快圈速为1分21秒808。

巴塞罗那试车手记2月22日：法拉利派出冰人"替身"新浪体育讯　巴塞罗那F1季前集体试车周四结束后，法拉利车队周五进行了一天的独家测试。　　今天天气恢复了巴塞罗那一贯的晴朗，阳光充沛，气温约为12度，测试条件要比前几天好得多。　　法拉利今天主要是做完整的大奖赛模拟，原以为是闭门测试，但法拉利车队新闻官科里亚尼说：“我们没有什么秘密。”，所以开放给记者和公众人士观看。可是赛道和围场冷清清的，不超过两百人。四家来自英国、意大利的电视台专程来拍摄法拉利车队新赛季的准备工作，于是“跃马”也不可能大大方方地把秘密空力套件摊开给人看，今天的赛车和昨天没有任何变动。　　此前大家以为世界冠军莱科宁会在今天上阵。9时正，引擎声响起，一辆F2008抢先出闸，记者们狂拍一轮。“噢！莱科宁终于上场了。”可是有消息说芬兰冰人因为生病在家，临时取消今天亮相，但刚才法拉利1号赛车里的明明是莱科宁...原来，为了让电视台交差，试车手巴多尔戴上了莱科宁的头盔，假扮“冰人”在赛道上跑了几圈，让电视台拍摄威风镜头。　　巴多尔“替身”上阵跑了四圈后回到维修间，换回自己的头盔重新出动。然而，由“世界冠军”变回真身的意大利人，却马上在2号弯和3号之间打滑，引发了今天唯一的一面红旗。巴多尔有点沮丧地回到车库。　　马萨上场做两次8圈短跑，然后进行排位赛模拟。他跑出1分21秒65，出乎意料的慢，这成绩和红牛二队车手维泰尔的排位模拟成绩差不多。车队显然不满意，于是马萨接着又再做了一次排位，这次跑出1分20秒50，比去年加泰罗尼亚大奖赛的1分20秒597秒快了近1秒。巴多尔的模拟排位最快时间为1分21.80秒。　　下午14时正，车队在赛道上做了起跑模拟，全付装备的比赛队伍(Race Team)在赛道起跑线上设置好，一切跟正式比赛一样。抢到“杆位”的马萨在第一位，巴多尔在第二位发车。“比赛”正式开始！马萨一马当先，巴多尔紧追在后。两辆F2008在赛道上进行了64圈，当中也做了模拟进站、模拟安全车出动。马萨在剩下最后4圈时，创写了1分21秒44的最快单圈时间。巴多尔则在完成25圈后因赛车出问题“退赛”。他休息了约半小时后再次驶上赛道，但仅跑了5圈又再次因漏油“退赛”。　　马萨完成64圈领先冲线，车队人员没有欢呼，也没有上颁奖台或喷香槟的庆祝动作，因为这只是一次模拟大奖赛。　　车队对今天大奖赛模拟成绩感到非常满意，以赛车的表现和最快时间看来，F2008绝对超越其他对手，若无意外可以在赛季揭幕站轻松取下新赛季首冠。但如果拿今天的成绩和去年大奖赛相比，并未能完全反映出F2008真正潜能，难道他们特地隐藏实力？　　一名普利斯通轮胎工程师解释，法拉利不够快的原因是加泰罗尼亚赛道今年1月修建了路肩，车手必须改变驾驶路线因而减慢了速度。另一原因是，加泰罗尼亚赛道的轮胎配方是中软胎，但今天法拉利用上了硬胎，也使速度稍慢了0.3秒。　　据悉下周巴塞罗那最后一回合测试，迈克尔-舒马赫将与莱科宁一起上阵。今天已完成任务的马萨可以好好休息。　　(木鱼)

法拉利称冬季测试并不完美 技术总监最关心可靠性新浪体育讯　尽管在季前试车中取得了傲人的圈速，但是法拉利车队并不确信自己是新赛季世界冠军的最大热门。法拉利车队技术总监-阿尔多-科斯塔认为，迈凯轮和雷诺车队仍然会对法拉利的卫冕制造威胁，卫冕冠军目前最担心的就是可靠性。　　“我还是相信冠军争夺将会是一场苦战。”在本周的西班牙巴塞罗那试车期间，科斯塔对媒体说到。“对于我们来说，迈凯轮的汉密尔顿非常强大，雷诺也因为有了阿隆索而获得提高，所以我们预计对手会很难对付。”　　“因此我们需要脚踏实地。我们需要让第一场比赛以最好的方式去开展，尤其是狠抓每一个细节来最大限度的保证可靠性。”　　上周五，法拉利车队在加泰罗尼亚赛道进行了一次独家试车。虽然马萨做出的圈速已经超过了去年西班牙大奖赛的排位赛最快圈速。但是试车手巴多尔驾驶的F2008赛车还是出现了漏油的故障。　　去年，法拉利就因为可靠性的问题损失很大，甚至几乎让意大利军团提前推出了世界冠军的争夺。对于这个冬天的备战，科斯塔表示自己并非百分之一百的感觉满意。　　“我们肯定希望尝试更多，为了做好准备我们做了很多测试。但就像你们所看到的，我们还没有达到完美。所以我们并非百分之一百的感觉满意。”科斯塔说。当被问到最担心的是什么时，科斯塔答到：“可靠性方面的小问题。我们需要关心所有的方面。我们可以保证以最好的状态投入到第一场比赛中，不仅仅要保证性能，还要保证可靠性。”　　(WOODY）正在监督试车的阿尔多-科斯塔表情严肃这就是技术总监啊,这个名字很熟悉,因为某次马萨拿第一的时候他有上台领奖,那时转播的主持人特别说了他的名字--科斯塔,所以记住了,但是这个脸庞没有记住

科斯塔Q&A：圈速并非测试目的 鼻锥开洞还需等待2008年02月26日11:05 新浪体育 法拉利车队技术总监阿尔多-科斯塔 　　新浪体育讯　尽管在季前试车中取得了傲人的圈速，但是法拉利车队并没有对备战工作感到完全满意。技术总监-阿尔多-科斯塔认为F2008赛车虽然起点很好但是仍有提高的空间，而目前最担心的问题就是可靠性。本文为西班牙试车期间阿尔多-科斯塔接受Autosport.com专访(时间为上周五)内容摘译：　　强调没有参考点 拒绝评价圈速　　问：你怎么评价上周的测试？　　科斯塔：我们做了我们想做的东西。我们还存在一些问题，我们希望在首场比赛前解决。我们还有一轮试车可以做这些事情。　　今天菲利佩(马萨)完成了大奖赛模拟，但是卢卡(巴多尔)不得不在距离结束还有15圈的时候因为赛车变速箱漏油而停车。　　问：模拟排位赛的圈速怎么样？　　科斯塔：我们没有参考点。两位车手都对赛车感觉良好，但是我们没有参考点。这不是目的。　　问：菲利佩的比赛速度很厉害，和好天气有关吗？　　科斯塔：是的。天气很棒，但是我再次重申这不是我们的目的。我们的目的是完成很多长跑，让整个车队进行大奖赛模拟，包括进站和所有的程序。这才是我们的目的，而不是去注意性能表现，因为当你独自测试时，你可能会失望。　　问：今天完美的赛道条件带来了多大的影响？　　科斯塔：就像我说过的，没有参考点。我们使用了普通的硬胎，这不是我们在大奖赛中将使用的轮胎。今天(的条件)很理想。　　问：你们使用了不同的组份了吗？　　科斯塔：没有，我们只使用了一种组分。我们并没有大奖赛当中的轮胎储备。　　问：是中性轮胎吗？　　科斯塔：不，是硬的。　　赛车并不完美 最担心可靠性　　问：说法拉利比其他的对手强很多，你对此感到担心吗？　　科斯塔：到了墨尔本就会知道。我认为战斗将和以往一样激烈，所以我对这些不是太担心。　　问：法拉利的季前试车很不错。一切都运转正常吗？　　科斯塔：我们肯定希望尝试更多，为了做好准备我们做了很多测试。但就像你们所看到的，我们还没有达到完美。所以我们并非百分之一百的感觉满意。　　问：你所担心的是什么？　　科斯塔：可靠性方面的小问题。我们需要关心所有的方面。我们可以保证以最好的状态投入到第一场比赛中，不仅仅要保证性能，还要保证可靠性。　　问：去墨尔本之前的最后一次试车将有舒马赫助阵。对于他，你有什么期待？　　科斯塔：从车手轮换上，这将给菲利佩一些喘息，能和迈克尔一起工作，我们对此很高兴。我们希望他所做的，和他以往做的一样，优秀的工作。没问题，他会的。问：相比旧的，新的空气动力学套件怎么样？　　科斯塔：结果正是我们所预计的。下周们肯定希望对它进行更多的测试，但是目前还没有令人惊讶。　　问：这就是墨尔本的方案吗？　　科斯塔：是的，这个就是墨尔本的方案。　　问：那么传说中的新前部，那个鼻锥上开洞的，没有吗？　　科斯塔：我不知道，你可能还得等等。　　问：回到每个人所说的，你们是最有力的竞争者。那么决定性因素是什么？性能还是可靠性？　　科斯塔：我还是相信冠军争夺将会是一场苦战。对于我们来说，迈凯轮的汉密尔顿非常强大，雷诺也因为有了阿隆索而获得提高，所以我们预计对手会很难对付。因此我们需要脚踏实地。我们需要让第一场比赛以最好的方式去开展，尤其是狠抓每一个细节来最大限度的保证可靠性。　　问：会有什么意外吗？我们发现威廉姆斯经常出现在成绩榜首，他们有机会获胜吗？　　科斯塔：在季前试车中这很难讲，但是可以肯定的是，你可以看出谁的工作做得好，威廉姆斯就是这样，所以我预计他们会有一些进步，我觉得丰田也有可能。而有些人可能没有去年那么有竞争力。　　(WOODY）法拉利车队技术总监阿尔多-科斯塔又来一个,这个根楼上明显不是一人啊,到底哪个是啊,新浪也不知道啊

看衣服都是COSTA真是奇怪

Massa not making predictions for Oz By Michele Lostia and Pablo Elizalde Wednesday, February 27th 2008, 11:32 GMT Felipe Massa is not making any predictions for the Australian Grand Prix, as he believes Ferrari and McLaren are likely to be closely matched.Both teams have been the pace-setters during the winter, and while some believe Ferrari are slightly ahead, McLaren have been fastest in this week's final test at Barcelona.Massa reckons Ferrari are well prepared for the first race, but he is not judging the team's form compared to their main rivals."Predictions for Melbourne? I prefer to talk there, after the race. Before the race is not the right time, in my opinion," Massa told reporters at Barcelona. "What I can say is that I've finished my work of winter testing. Tomorrow (Wednesday) I have 50 laps just to finish the engine. I've done two race simulations in five days, so I'm satisfied of what I've found and the way we've worked."Certainly there still are aspects to work on to improve the car, however we've done everything we were supposed to, and I hope to have something good after the Melbourne race."He added: "McLaren are always a strong team and can always be competitive. So we must look out for any team, but certainly McLaren are maybe the one with the most potential over the rest."Despite his cautious approach, Massa still believes Ferrari are in a very strong and he thinks the F2008 has improved a lot in recent weeks."In my opinion it has (improved) a lot," he said. "Last week we did a great job with the new package, and I was very satisfied. Today I've done a very different job from last week. In my opinion we are at an excellent level."

Massa not making predictions for Oz By Michele Lostia and Pablo Elizalde Wednesday, February 27th 2008, 11:32 GMT Felipe Massa is not making any predictions for the Australian Grand Prix, as he believes Ferrari and McLaren are likely to be closely matched. Both teams have been the pace-setters during the winter, and while some believe Ferrari are slightly ahead, McLaren have been fastest in this week's final test at Barcelona. Massa reckons Ferrari are well prepared for the first race, but he is not judging the team's form compared to their main rivals. "Predictions for Melbourne? I prefer to talk there, after the race. Before the race is not the right time, in my opinion," Massa told reporters at Barcelona. "What I can say is that I've finished my work of winter testing. Tomorrow (Wednesday) I have 50 laps just to finish the engine. I've done two race simulations in five days, so I'm satisfied of what I've found and the way we've worked. "Certainly there still are aspects to work on to improve the car, however we've done everything we were supposed to, and I hope to have something good after the Melbourne race." He added: "McLaren are always a strong team and can always be competitive. So we must look out for any team, but certainly McLaren are maybe the one with the most potential over the rest." Despite his cautious approach, Massa still believes Ferrari are in a very strong and he thinks the F2008 has improved a lot in recent weeks. "In my opinion it has (improved) a lot," he said. "Last week we did a great job with the new package, and I was very satisfied. Today I've done a very different job from last week. In my opinion we are at an excellent level."

Q & A with Felipe Massa By Michele Lostia Friday, February 22nd 2008, 14:37 GMT Q. How is the new aero at the rear going?Felipe Massa: "In my opinion it's going fine. It does what it was supposed to, nothing that we didn't expect from the aerodynamics."Q. How many tenths difference compared to the more traditional F2008?FM: "It's hard to be precise. Maybe a couple of tenths, but it's hard to make a precise comparison. However it's definitely what we expected, and we must carry on working to develop other things, and also to work on the car's set-up. But we are where we wanted to be."Q. This is the aerodynamics package for Melbourne?FM: "Yes, this is what we have. Maybe we'll have something more, but not in the aerodynamics, but this is more or less the car we'll bring to Melbourne."Q. McLaren seemed to be slightly ahead in this test.FM: "There's nothing to say. We've finished our program, we've done what we wanted. In the end, laptimes are important but they aren't the most important thing. We are behind by a few thousandths, so we have things to improve on the car, and things to develop for the future. As I said, we are where we wanted to be, but we can't give up and we must carry on working."Q. What do you expect from the qualifying/race simulation you'll do tomorrow (Friday)?FM: "I can't say to win, because it's not a race. To finish the race and bring the data home is important, to see where we have to work for the car's reliability, but this simulation is more - let's say 90% about reliability of the car, and the rest just to remember all the things we do in a GP and in qualifying."Q. Are you nervous that the media indicate Ferrari as the team to beat?FM: "Absolutely not. Last year we were always the fastest and they would say Ferrari was the team to beat. So nothing changes, the approach is the same. We must think about doing our job and not think about what it's being written or said."Q. Is the new work about being faster or also about wearing the tyres better?FM: "Both. If you can do both you've done the job you were supposed to."Q. Do you still remember what it was like to drive with traction control or has that been forgotten already?FM: "No, I've forgotten it, I can't remember how it worked (laughs). We'll certainly go quicker now without it than with it."Q. Laptimes have decreased a lot. Considering the changes in the electronics, why is that?FM: "For sure the cars get developed. They improve aerodynamically. The regulations are the same as last year, and the only change is in the electronics. Driving the car without traction control for the first time compared to driving it now, it's incredible how much the driver's mind develops from one day to the next to then be able to do what the electronics did. So in the end this means that driving without electronics is fairly possible."The only thing is that in the rain it's much harder really. Sometimes you enter a turn with less grip than the others, you 

don't expect to then become a passenger with nothing you can do about it. So that's one negative point of the lack of traction control. However, it's a lot of fun to drive the car now."Q. Have the tyres made a big step forward?FM: "The tyres are the same."Q. Is there a particular area in the car that can be improved?FM: "That always exists. We are working on the engine, on the chassis, on the aerodynamics. Everything must always be worked on."Q. The race starts?FM: "In the end we are very close to what we could do at the starts last year. So there won't be much of a difference."Q. Have the engineers found some trick?FM: "No, the drivers have got used to do with the pedal what the electronics used to do. As I said: it's incredible to see the cars' developments, but so is seeing the development of the drivers when the rules change."Q. Are you surprised by that?FM: "Yes, because from the first time I drove (without TC) to now you can see that you have understood how the car works without traction control."Q. Does it feel more satisfying?FM: "In the dry it does, but it doesn't in the wet."Q. You and the car look to be in shape. How are the mechanics, with all the pit stop simulations you've done?FM: "They're in shape. They must be! They'll make a lot of training, because if we lose seconds in the pitstops it's no good. So we must be in shape in all areas."Q. Do you think Fernando Alonso is right about Renault being so far behind?FM: "I don't know. If he says so... He is the one driving the car. I am happy about my car. I think we are doing a good job. I don't know if we are first, second or third, but I think we are heading in the right direction."Q. Do you think it's just a game between Ferrari and McLaren?FM: "We'll see in Melbourne. I don't want to say anything before the first race because maybe we may get some surprises."Q. Has the handling of the car changed with the new aero package?FM: "No, the handling is similar. It's just a little bit more downforce to make the car slightly quicker and slightly more consistent, but the handling is similar."Q. It's not a smaller window to operate the car or anything like that?FM: "We didn't change the car, we just improved the car, so it's just something that goes in the direction that you expect."Q. Do you think you feel more gain in the lower to middle speed corners than higher speed, or do you feel the gain more here, with the new package here?FM: "I think the gain is a little bit general, all over the corners. So for sure when you work like that you work for every corner, not for just one kind of corner. So I think it's in general."

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