Domenicali: “Let’s keep our feet on the ground”

There’s an air of great concentration in the corridors of Maranello, after the first three days of testing with the F150. The team pretty much got through the programme established prior to the test, which centred mainly on getting to grips with the behaviour of the new car and on understanding the new Pirelli tyres. On the reliability front, the first assessment can be seen as positive: the mishap that forced Felipe Massa to spend a long time in the garage yesterday is in no way the sign of some congenital defect in the car.

“As we already said at the launch, the important thing is to do many kilometres at the first test and in that we have succeeded, “ said Stefano Domenicali on www.ferrari.com. “The stopwatch revealed little and that will also be the case in the next test sessions. We are pleased with our debut, but we are perfectly aware that there is still a lot of work to do, both on track and in the factory. Over the next few weeks, we must keep our feet solidly on the ground and concentrate on our own job, without being distracted by what the others are up to. The first conclusions will only be drawn in Bahrain when things start getting serious.”

Fernando Alonso was also in Maranello today, spending a long time in the simulator. The team got back from Valencia late morning and by Monday the mechanics will already be on their way again, this time to Jerez de la Frontera where testing resumes on Thursday 10 February: this time Felipe will be the first on track for two days, with Fernando rounding off the last two days of Saturday and Sunday.

Source: Ferrari.com

Videos: Ferrari F150 launch Press Conference

Interviews with Stefano Domenicali, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa, Luca di Montezemolo, Costa, Tombazis and Marmorini









Source: NextgenAuto

Finali Ferrari Mondiali 2010 Valencia 2010: Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa, Stefano Domenicali & Giancarlo Fisichella

Source: ferrariworld

Team bosses attempting to remain calm

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is preparing for frayed nerves as he fears this season's battle for the World title will boil down to the last lap

Earlier this season Horner suggested the fight would go to the final race, and has obviously been proven right as the showdown takes place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

A degree of tension has eased given Red Bull won the Constructors' Championship last Sunday, remarkably doing so in six short years after the team was built from the wreckage of Jaguar's failure.

The focus, however, is now firmly on the drivers, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, who find themselves eight and 15 points adrift of Championship leader Fernando Alonso.

The permutations as to what might unfold are many, which is why no-one can call just what will transpire at the Yas Marina circuit for what is undeniably one of the most exciting conclusions to a season in F1 history.

Attempting to manage those tensions that are likely to build within the team as a whole, and on both sides of the garage in particular, is not an easy task.

Taking the situation in his stride, Horner said: "My role, not just with the drivers, but also the engineers, the guys in the garage, throughout the team, is to stay incredibly focused.

"We had an unbelievable weekend last weekend in Brazil. Winning the Constructors' was a huge thing for the whole team.

"It's quite nice to have got that out of the way so there is not the distraction of thinking about that.

"Now there is pure focus on giving the drivers the best possible support we can going into Sunday's race.

"Obviously it's a different situation for us, compared to Ferrari and McLaren, because we've two guys competing against each other for the biggest prize in motor sport.

"To be honest, I've not seen any difference in them so far. They are focused on the job in hand, they both know to beat Fernando (to the title) they have to finish, and to finish ahead of him.

"So they're going about the weekend, as they have the previous 18, and they're pretty focused on getting the most of themselves, out of the car, and then we'll see how things pan out.

"But looking at what has happened this season, this Championship will go down to the last lap, which is a fascinating prospect."

For Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali, the goal is simple - one driver, one title on the line, with the sole aim of ensuring he finishes in the top two.

Such a scenario will ensure Fernando Alonso becomes only the ninth driver in F1 history to win three titles, and the youngest ever to achieve that feat.

For Domenicali, it comes down several factors as he said: "You need to be lucky, to keep a cool head and to keep that head up.

"We've seen in the past if you react emotionally at the wrong time and in the wrong way during a race because something has happened, then you make mistakes and it is finished.

"So we have to be very concentrated. We need to do the things we normally do in a weekend and not try to make too many calculations because if you do that then you get lost.

"We need to be focused on giving our best. Clearly we are trying to control the emotion we have inside, but so far everything is okay.''

Let us not forget Lewis Hamilton, 24 points adrift of Alonso and having to win to stand any chance, but who was quickest at the end of today's practice, followed by Vettel, Alonso and Webber.

Of all the drivers he arguably faces the easiest task, as explained by team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

"Lewis has to focus on winning the race, and thereafter if he wins the Championship then it's in the hands of others," said Whitmarsh.

"If you're trying to defend a position, to control the points you get, or the points your rivals get it, becomes more complicated.

"Right now Lewis is relaxed and focused. He wants to win it, but whether he can, we'll start to understand tomorrow afternoon."

Source: Planet-F1

Domenicali: “We have to be very careful”

Brazil will be hosting the two biggest global sporting events, the Olympics and the football World Cup in the next few years, but both these great occasions will have their work cut out matching the excitement generated in recent times by the Brazilian round of the Formula 1 World Championship. 2010 will mark the thirty eighth edition of this race. In the early days of its history it would serve as the season opener, but since 2004 it has more usually brought the curtain down on the year’s racing and as such, has been the scene of some dramatic championship deciders. This year, the scenic and spectacular Interlagos circuit hosts the penultimate round of the season and the battle for the Drivers’ crown could not be closer: Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s Spanish driver, Fernando Alonso is ahead on points with 231 to his name, but in fourth place, Sebastian Vettel is just 25 points - equivalent to one race win – behind, with Mark Webber second on 220, ten points more than third placed Lewis Hamilton. In theory, Fernando has a mathematical chance of clinching the title this Sunday, but it would require major misfortune to befall his rivals. “It is unlikely to decide the outcome, but it will be a very important race,” is the opinion of Scuderia Ferrari’s Team Principal Stefano Domenicali. “If one were to lose valuable points here it would make Abu Dhabi a bigger call.”

Within the Maranello team, everyone has heeded Domenicali’s advice following victory in Korea to keep their feet on the ground. “The approach the team will adopt in these final weeks of the championship will be the right one, keeping in mind the strengths of our rivals, Red Bull and McLaren,” says Domenicali. “We have seen how complicated the races have been throughout the season, which means we have to be very careful. As far as the F10 is concerned, there will be a few small updates on the aerodynamic front, but nothing really significant, because the difference will come from reliability, from finishing the races without losing points and having the right mindset. However, I think the F10 can be competitive in Brazil and that, for better or for worse, the relative strengths are those we have seen in the last few races. We can expect to find that Red Bull is again very strong, while McLaren could have some more updates to be quicker still and we will be in the fight.”

The Brazilian “fight” is one that Ferrari has won a total of ten times, including two victories for Felipe Massa in 2006 and 2008. “Brazil is Felipe’s home race and knowing him the way I do, I am sure there will be that little bit extra motivation to do well,” affirms Domenicali. “He will want to show his fans what he can do so I expect him to be very much up for the fight, doing all he can to win. He will be very quick, which is exactly what we need right now to reach our goals.” Felipe himself is really looking forward to racing in front of his fans: “this was the race I missed most last year, when I had to sit out the final part of the season after the accident in Budapest,” says the Paulista. “After sitting it out in 2009, it would be great to get back to winning ways, especially as it would be vital in terms of the fight for both championships.”

Alonso has never won here, but a third place in Interlagos was enough to give the Spaniard his first world championship crown in 2005, while a second place in Brazil the following year saw him retain his title for a second year. “Fernando will tackle the race at Interlagos in the same way he tackled the last few rounds, which means with great determination, keeping in mind that the key is to finish the race and, unless something unpredictable happens, that would mean bringing home a big points haul,” reckons Domenicali. As for our championship contender, Alonso is well aware what an unpredictable race this can be. “We will tackle this round with the same spirit in which we went into the last few races, which means concentrating on our own work, determined to make the most of every opportunity, aware that the totting up will be done in Abu Dhabi after the final race,” says the Spaniard. “The track is very interesting and usually produces a spectacular race. The weather, which can be very changeable, could play an important role and we will have to be ready for any eventuality. With such a short and quick track, the gaps will be reduced and there will be a lot of drivers all within a few tenths.”

Domenicali has witnessed many exciting races during his long career with the Scuderia, so we asked him to pick his best and worst memories of this fascinating event: “I would say my best memory of the Brazilian Grand Prix goes back to the 2007 race. It was the final round and we went into it seventeen points down, so to come out of it with Kimi winning the Drivers’ title and taking the Constructors’ championship with him and Felipe was truly memorable from a sporting point of view. The worst memory would have to be 2008 and what I would describe as ‘Felipe’s final corner.’ As he crossed the line he was world champion and then, unfortunately, after a few seconds the title was just handed to Lewis Hamilton. That was a difficult moment, although the bitterness was eased slightly by the fact we won the Constructors’ title that year. For Felipe and the team, that was a really difficult moment. What was an extraordinary moment in our sport was to see how Felipe reacted a few moments after the end of the race, when he stood on the podium, displaying admirable self control, as did the team, displaying his and the team’s great sense of sportsmanship.”

Source: Ferrari.com

Fernando Alonso run into Stefano Domenicali after the Korean GP 2010

Source: banjoparapanyo

[Video] Domenicali and Alonso: "Wrooom is a special event"

Source: Ferrari.com

Domenicali: “The brain does not stop working on holiday”

Inevitably, there had to be some talk of racing matters during the press conference for the launch of Ercole Colombo’s book on twenty years of Wrooom. As from tomorrow, the obligatory two week shutdown of work at the Gestione Sportiva begins: “We will be on holiday, but that does not mean our brains will stop working,” said Domenicali. “Maybe one can even find fresh inspiration when outside the normal working environment and I expect this time to be a fertile one for ideas, which when all is said and done, are what make the difference.”

When it came to the polemical debate concerning events at the German Grand Prix and the following one about flexible wings, Domenicali was very clear: “I was dumbstruck to see so much hypocrisy in our world, but I don’t want to add anything else: there will just be more work to do; who knows it might be an added distraction for some. I have to say I was very pleased with the way our team reacted at a point in the season when the results were just not coming. The second half of July went very well and I hope it has given the right impetus for the final part of the season. We know there is much to do, because we still do not have the best car, but this should simply be a further incentive. We said it with Fernando a few days ago: if we manage to always be there, in the top places, then we can get satisfaction.”

Source: Ferrari.com

Domenicali and Alonso: “Wrooom is a special event”

Whether they have grown up together or have only just joined the team, for the men of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, “Wrooom” represents something really outstanding. For Stefano Domenicali, the event at Madonna di Campiglio is something special and he chose to reaffirm that view at the presentation of the book by Ercole Colombo. “There is so much one could say about Wrooom. For example, there is the coincidence that the first edition dates back to 1991, the year I joined Ferrari, not to mention the fact it takes place in the mountains, which are a great passion of mine,” said Domenicali. “I wish to take this opportunity to thank Maurizio Arrivabene and everyone at Philip Morris for the way they handle their role as a partner of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro. I always ask my engineers to be creative and here we are, this event is an example of creativity in the different world of communications. In my twenty years with the Scuderia, I have never heard of a driver who is not happy to take part in Wrooom and I can understand that very well: this event is a unique opportunity to bring together our world and that of the media.”

Fernando Alonso’s second appearance in the Dolomites lasted only a few hours and was marked by a different colour background to his visit last January. “Back then, everything was white, while today, I’m struggling to get my bearings,” said the Spanish driver. “For me this place is linked to my first ever event with the Scuderia and it was an amazing experience, unrepeatable in fact. Wrooom is the best way possible to start the season in harmony and with the right spirit. You can also see that from the photos in this book; you work, but it’s fun. I think Ercole’s book is only the first step: what about a film next as Hollywood beckons!”

Source: Ferrari.com

Montezemolo: "This is the Ferrari we wanted"

Source: ferrariworld

Interviews after the Race with Ferrari Team in German GP 2010

Source: keexx2

Team order scandal erupts as Ferrari wins in Germany

Sunday's German Grand Prix began amid a burgeoning flexible wing saga, and ended with a new scandal about team orders.

After a team one-two, and soaked in champagne, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali was hounded in the Hockenheim pitlane by reporters accusing him of illegally ordering Felipe Massa to hand his victory to Fernando Alonso.

"This is not true," Italian Domenicali told an angry Eddie Jordan on British television BBC.
Red Bull's Christian Horner, earlier accused by his rivals of running an illegally-flexing front wing on the RB6 in Germany, said the FIA stewards should actually be probing Ferrari's alleged rules breach.

"That was the clearest team order I've ever seen. As clear as 2002," said the Briton, referring to the Austrian Grand Prix of that year, when then Ferrari team boss Jean Todt ordered Rubens Barrichello aside for Michael Schumacher.

Fascinatingly, Todt is now president of the governing FIA.

"The difference with 2002 was that there was no rule (about team orders) then," said Jordan. "This is ten times worse."

The alleged team order at Hockenheim began with Alonso pleading on the radio that sitting behind Massa was "ridiculous".

Shortly afterwards, Massa's engineer Rob Smedley told Massa on the radio: "Ok, so, 'Fernando is faster than you'. Can you confirm you understand that message?"

Massa, 29, then deliberately slowed down on a straight and let Alonso pass.

But Domenicali denied Ferrari is therefore guilty of implementing team orders.

"To be honest, I don't think so," he said when asked if he thought the stewards would be looking into the incident.

Asked if he thought he deserved to win on Sunday, which is the one-year anniversary of his horror qualifying accident in Hungary last season, Massa answered: "Well, I think so."

As for whether he deliberately moved aside, the Brazilian said: "Well, I don't think I need to say anything about that. He passed me."

So obvious was the team order, Smedley actually apologised - "good lad, sorry" - to Massa after the race.

"The apology is just that I'm sorry it happened, I'm sorry he (Alonso) came through," Smedley, who also called Massa "very, very, very magnanimous" on the radio, explained to the BBC.

Alonso, despite asking on the slowing-down lap if Massa was ok, also denied he had been deliberately let through.

"I don't know what happened; I saw Felipe a little bit slow and I took the opportunity," said the Spaniard.

Massa added: "We work for the team, that's the only thing I feel."

Schumacher said he is still very close to his former Ferrari teammate Massa, but admitted he would have done "exactly the same" if he had been sitting on the pitwall on Sunday.

"In principle I fully accept it (team orders). There is only one target: winning the title," said the seven time world champion.

In the championship, the McLaren drivers retain their lead over the now points-tied Red Bulls, ahead of Hockenheim winner Fernando Alonso.

Source: Motorsport.com

Domenicali 'hurt' by Ferrari 'disarray' claims

After a run of poor results for the Maranello based team, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali says he wants to see a "strong reaction" this weekend at Hockenheim.

"Whoever does not believe we can win the world championship should find another job," he insisted.

Domenicali said abandoning the 2010 car to focus on its successor is not yet a consideration.

"Before making calculations we must take home podiums and victories," he said in an interview with La Stampa. "There is a tide of points at stake."

Domenicali said he can understand some recent criticism of Ferrari, but reveals he was "hurt" when it was suggested the team is in "disarray".

One criticism is that while Red Bull pioneered the blown diffuser and McLaren the F-duct, Ferrari has recently been light on innovation.

"We have done less visible things: the wheels, some aerodynamic. But I do accept the criticism: some striking solutions have come out."

He defended the arguably erratic performances so far of team newcomer Fernando Alonso.

"Driving for Ferrari has a different weight. Some say that once you are in the car it is all the same, which is absolutely not true: the pressures on our team are not comparable to the other teams, Red Bull, McLaren or Mercedes."

Domenicali believes Ferrari is simply in a period of "renewal".

"To win, you need to go through those periods. After a wonderful time, the basic rules have changed: at first everything was unlimited but now you must think about budgets and simulations.

"Imagine that tomorrow all football is played on synthetic grass; the sport is the same, but the preparation, the materials, the techniques would all change."

Source: Motorsport.com

British GP preview - Stefano Domenicali, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa

Source: Ferrariworld

Ferrari to use KERS throughout 2011 season

Ferrari will run a KERS-equipped car in every race of next year's world championship, team boss Stefano Domenicali has revealed.

The confirmation was made after the F1 teams met in Canada to discuss technical matters relating to the 2011 season.

Adjustable rear wings are also set to debut in order to boost overtaking, and FOTA's ban on using energy-recovering KERS systems is to lapse.

Some teams including Ferrari had pushed hard to make the KERS systems much more powerful in 2011, but agreement has instead been made to lift the minimum weight of the car-plus-driver.

As the weight handicap was considered among the problems of the KERS debut in 2009, the minimum limit will rise from 620 to 640kg next year.

"The teams have agreed on that," Domenicali confirmed.

"We would have preferred to see a solution with much more energy being available (to KERS), but unfortunately an agreement could not be found."

It is understood that the reason for staying with a lower power output is that some manufacturers would have had trouble adapting their existing technology.

However, while it has been suggested that another major problem for KERS in 2009 is that the systems were voluntary to run, it has emerged that the units will not be compulsory in 2011.

Mercedes, for instance, is considering whether to use KERS next year, even though a programme has already been initiated by the Brackley based squad with a view to a 2011 implementation.

"We will make a decision (about KERS for 2011) within four to six weeks," said Ross Brawn.

Source: Motorsport.com

ASTONISHING DIFFERENCE

Turun Sanomat 08.5 2010

Traditionally Catalonia Grand Prix -track separates the teams. The strenghts and weaknesses in the cars become very specifically clear on this track.

We already knew beforehand that Adrian Newey's car would have an excellent aerodynamic grip and that it is in it's own class when it comes to downforce. After Saturday quali we also know that the mechanic grip is on the best level.

The difference to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was almost nine tenths. When you take into consideration that the Brit made a top lap you can start talking about a one second lead.

Newey has not wanted to copy other's inventions in the middle of the season and it looks more and more that Red Bull doesn't even need McLaren's F-Duct. What if the car had one working perfectly? Red Bull would disappear into the horisont from the others.

It's quiet on the rumour-side. Lately they haven't been whispering about rally driver Kimi Räikkönen's comeback inside Red Bull and especially not in the camp of reporters.

F1-media is so closed that half of the gang doesn't seem to follow rally at all. And the team managers don't seem to have a clue about rally-matters.

When Stefano Domenicali came to say hello I said to him that isn't it quite special that Räikkönen has after four rallies more championship-points than Michael Schumacher has after four GP-races.

– Really? Domenicali said - and told that he had just talked with Kimi on the phone.

It is obvious that on Sunday Schumacher will pass his rally colleague in points.

Source: Turun Sanomat
Courtesy: Nicole

Analysis and reactions

Maranello, 6 April

The last members of the team came back this morning from Sepang, where the Malaysian GP was held on Easter Sunday. In the afternoon Chairman Luca di Montezemolo met Stefano Domenicali and the technicians for the traditional debriefing after the races in the Scuderia's offices, where the whole weekend and the problems, which had appeared, where analysed.

Naturally the team wasn't happy about the result, inferior to the expectations and the potential, which was there to be used. The mistake made during Q1 negatively conditioned the whole race: from the 19th and the 21st position on the grid for Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa one could hardly expect more than a place in the points without any external elements – rain or safety-car – considering how the race went. The objective was partially reached with Felipe, who came in seventh, while the engine failure took away Fernando's two points, which would have been precious anyway. The disappointment about a negative weekend should not wipe out the satisfaction about a start in the season with the two Scuderia drivers on the first and second place in the Drivers' standings and the team leading in the Constructors' standings. We just need to remember that last year after three races there weren't any points gained yet and the men and women in Maranello are proud of the work done so far this year, knowing that they still have to work hard especially regarding reliability and performance.

Reliability was also the main topic of today's analysis during the meeting. Not only was there a problem with the engine of car number 8, but also one with the gearbox, which negatively conditioned the race of the Spanish driver as of the formation lap. Furthermore both Sauber single-seaters were complaining about an engine problem: De La Rosa could not even start and Kobayashi had to stop after eight laps. The analysis confirmed that the problems on the Swiss cars didn't have anything to do with Alonso's engine failure, but were caused by a malfunction of the electronic engine management. The failure of Alonso's V8 happened two laps before the end of the race, without any parameter showing any sort of anomaly, which means that there is no connection between this problem and the one in Sakhir, caused by a momentary overheating, which lead the team to the decision to change the engines on both cars after the qualifying for the Bahrain GP. It's possible that the problem with the gearbox could have caused some consequences for the engine, used in an anomalous way for the whole race, but it's clear that a more precise analysis can only be made when the engine is back at the Works on Wednesday afternoon.

As far as the performance at the Malaysian GP is concerned the competitiveness of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's package has been confirmed, which doesn't mean that the team is not working hard on improvements. The goal is to bring new elements to every race and they are giving it all to have something significant also on the occasion of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Source: Ferrari.com

Australian GP - Interview with Stefano Domenicali

"We can be satisfied with this result. At the end of an incident packed race we managed to get one driver onto the podium and the other who had been last after the first corner into fourth spot"

Source: ferrariworld

Australian GP - Good result for Ferrari in Melbourne

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro comes away from the Australian Grand Prix with 27 points to its name, thanks to a third place for Felipe Massa and a fourth for Fernando Alonso. This result means that the Maranello team continues to have its drivers in the top two places in the Drivers’ Championship (Fernando first on 37 points and Felipe second with 33) and the team also leads the Constructors’ classification on 70 points.

Stefano Domenicali: “We can be satisfied with this result. At the end of an incident packed race we managed to get one driver onto the podium and the other – who had been last after the first corner – into fourth spot. Fernando staged a fantastic climb through the field and might have got an even better result, but we know overtaking is always difficult, especially when it involves cars with similar performance levels. He was perfect when defending his position against Hamilton in the closing stages. Felipe got a really good start which formed the basis of his final result: he had a difficult weekend and I am sure this second consecutive podium is pleasing for him. Reliability however is the key factor, as we saw again today. In terms of the championship, today’s result is very positive: those who are our strongest competitors at the moment picked up just a few points and even when compared to other drivers, we have extended our lead. Now we must remain focussed and prepare as well as possible for the next week’s race in Malaysia, where we will again find different conditions to those we have experienced in the first two Grands Prix.”

Felipe Massa: “I am very happy with this result, for myself and for the team. Given everything that happened, rain at the start, the safety car, the switch to slick tyres when the track was still very slippery – we did a great job. These points are very important for the classification: I have never been very lucky here and in the past, I have often struggled in the early part of the season. The key to getting on the podium was the start. I managed not to spin the wheels, while other drivers struggled for grip and I managed to move up to second. Then I lost some places in the early stages, when I had a few problems with grip, but thanks to the strategy, I then managed to make up some. I was able to close on Kubica but I never had a real chance of passing him, while behind me Fernando got very close on more than one occasion, making the most of a few errors. I think the spectators in the grandstands and in front of their TV screens had fun today: you could hardly call it boring!”

Fernando Alonso: “I am pleased with this result. I got an awful start, because I had wheel spin on a white line and was last after the first corner following a collision with two other cars, so to finish fourth is very significant, especially given what happened to some other drivers, meaning we have increased our lead over some of our closest rivals in the title fight. Thanks to the strategy, we managed to get this result. The car was perfect and we were able to run a very long stint with the soft tyres. When I found myself behind Felipe, maybe I could have gone a bit quicker, but we know it’s very hard to pass in Formula 1 and between team-mates, one should not take any unnecessary risks. If we had managed to get past Kubica, then it might have been a different story, but it wasn’t possible, apart from the fact I also had to defend my position against Hamilton and Webber, who were on fresher tyres than us. For sure, after an exciting and action packed race like this, I don’t think we’ll hear much more talk about boring races!”

Chris Dyer: “Before the race, we had hoped for a better result, but after what happened at the start and the first corner, with Fernando relegated to the back of the pack, we have to be happy with taking home a third and a fourth place. We opted to run just one set of dry tyres and that proved to be the right decision. If we had pitted a second time, we would definitely have lost a few places, while staying out on track, we knew our pursuers would catch us in the closing stages and then it would be a case of defending position which is exactly what happened, with a positive outcome. After two races, we are leading both championships and that means we can look forward with confidence to the rest of the season.”

Source: Ferrari.com

Australian GP - Alonso pleased, Felipe less so

Third and fifth places: that was the end result for Scuderia Ferrari in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso will start from third spot on the starting grid, just ahead of his team-mate, Felipe Massa, who posted the fifth fastest time. “We are satisfied with this result,” said Stefano Domenicali. “We knew the Red Bulls were very quick, but we are not far off them. Fernando really drove a great qualifying, getting the most out of the car. Felipe struggled a bit to get the tyres working properly, but all the same he managed to get a good place. Tomorrow’s race looks like being very unpredictable. Traditionally at this track, the safety-car very often plays its part and I don’t think tomorrow’s race will be an exception to this rule. We will therefore need to be ready to deal with any eventuality. Furthermore, there is a question mark over the weather. For our part, we will try and bring home the best result we can: in a long and closely contested championship like this one, the key is to always score points.”

Fernando Alonso: “I am pleased with the way qualifying went. You always want to be on pole, but third place is still a good result. We knew the Red Bulls were very strong, but we are close to them and can count on having a good race pace. Our aim is to get to the finish, not making any mistakes and getting a good result, maybe making it to the podium. Of course I want to fight for the win but it is not worth taking risks as it is too important to bring home points. After yesterday’s free practice, we were not worried because we knew our work had only focussed on being ready for Sunday’s race. Anything can happen here and we must be ready for any eventuality. A new engine? Yes, it brings luck to change it…But joking apart, it was part of our engine management plan to have a new unit for this race.”

Felipe Massa: “Not the qualifying I was expecting, going into this Grand Prix. Ever since the temperature dropped, I have always struggled to find the best way of getting the tyres up to temperature, while yesterday morning for example, when it was hotter, the situation was much better. With today’s temperatures, I had no grip, which is not particularly encouraging. Let’s hope it’s a bit warmer tomorrow. In FP3 I really found it difficult, but come the end of qualifying I still managed to get a reasonable result. It’s definitely not ideal in terms of looking for a win, but all the same, I will try and bring home a good number of points. This race is very tough, partly because, as we have often seen in the past, anything can happen here.”

Chris Dyer: “We are quite pleased with this result, given that we came pretty close to getting the most out of the potential of our package. We still lack a little bit of performance to be ahead of the two Red Bulls, but nevertheless, we are in a good position for tomorrow’s race. After the difficulty in the last free practice session, Felipe did a good job in qualifying, managing to get a good position on the grid. Both cars will be starting from the clean side of the track, which could be an advantage. At the moment, the weather forecast for tomorrow is dry for the race, but we saw both yesterday and today that there is real chance of short showers. We must therefore be ready to deal with this eventuality, as well as making the most of any opportunities that might arise during a race that traditionally seems plenty of action.”

Source: Ferrari.com