Careful approach to Catalunya by Ferrari

Both Ferrari drivers are facing this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix with some concerns, having in mind that a lot of work needs to be done. During the meetings with the media Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa talked about the most recent developments in the Ferrari F1.

Asked about the changes made to the Ferrari since the Chinese Grand Prix, the Brazilian said that the team of engineers “introduced updates to the car, mainly from the aero point of view, especially with the “famous” blown rear wing, which we will try in free practice here”. Alonso is careful talking about the changes in the F1 saying that “As everybody else, we will introduce something here, but I don’t think it is huge or that we change the car completely so they are really very small modifications."

Both drivers think that the changes won’t have a significant effect on the team’s performance but a positive Massa hopes that Ferrari “made a bigger step forward than the rest” of the teams. Alonso doesn’t think that in the European season there won’t be many changes in the teams at the front and he said that “Maybe it will depend circuit by circuit more than on the car modifications.”

The Spaniard has a clear mind on what are the team’s main objectives, “Our target at the moment is to maximise our potential in the coming races. I think in the first part of the championship we had a very strong car but maybe we did not take all the points we should so there is no room for mistakes in the next few races and we would like to take back the lead in the championship as soon as possible.

Asked about who he thought would be the main rival for this weekend’s race Massa answered with the usual list: “so far this season, we have seen that Red Bull has been very strong in qualifying but we cannot rule out McLaren and possibly also Mercedes are getting stronger.”

In front of his home crowd, local boy Fernando Alonso is looking forward for this weekend, “In the past, the Spanish Grand Prix has been a great race for me in terms of emotions and in terms of results as well,” he recalled. “I have been quite lucky always to be in a good position and have a competitive car with my past teams, Renault and McLaren and so for this weekend I hope I can get on the podium again wearing another colour.”

With the attention of media focusing on Alonso, Massa was asked if that situation bothered him. “We are both strong drivers and remember I have had Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen as my team-mates here in Ferrari,” he answered. “I will not be driving around here to see who the fans are cheering for in the grandstands and in any case, I have always had a nice welcome from the Spanish people.

The car livery

In Catalunya Ferrari also announced that it had decided, together with its partner Philip Morris International, to modify the livery of the team’s cars.

Following recent speculation around the so-called “bar code”, which would be making subliminal advertising to tobacco brand Marlboro, Ferrari, decided to put an end to what the team considered to be a “ridiculous story” and to focus its attentions on more important things.