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[racechick]

Felipe Massa said it was a strategic gamble from Fernando Alonso that swapped the order of the Ferraris in the Australian Grand Prix, rather than any team favouritism.

Massa had outqualified Alonso and was running ahead of his team-mate through the first two stints.

But before the second pitstops, Alonso came in early and was able to leapfrog both Massa and leader Sebastian Vettel thanks to a clear lap on fresh tyres.

Massa denied this was a case of Ferrari putting Alonso on a preferential strategy and said he would not have wanted to pit when his team-mate did because in theory the tactic should not have worked.

The Brazilian felt Ferrari needed to get at least 15 laps out of each set of tyres, whereas Alonso pitted after 11.

"When you're fighting with the guy at the front and then you lose two positions, you're always disappointed," Massa said.

"Honestly it was a little bit too early to stop. We were planning to stop maybe three or four laps after.

"Looking at the degradation on the tyres, it was quite high. But he took a risk and it worked."

"The track improved and it was much better for keeping the pace with more rubber on the track, and he didn't have any cars in front," said the Brazilian, who ultimately finished fourth.

"So it worked. For sure when you are behind it's always easier to stop before and try to take the risk.

"I am a little bit disappointed about this but overall I'm happy because the way we started the season was very, very positive."

So there you go, straight from the horses mouth. Ferrari didn't screw Massa or any of this other false and laughable BS i've heard and read today.

Well some of the quoted 'false and laughable BS' ,also came out of Filipes mouth. So I guess we have to make our own minds up about it. I'll keep an open mind over the next few races, though I'm not really convinced about Sunday.But Ferrari would be stupid to mess with Felipe's mind again in a season where the constructors looks like being close.

[spankyham]

I felt this was a super interesting picture. I believe this was taken in park ferme immediately after qualifying. Felipe is clearly pointing out the condition of Seb's tires - and they certainly don't look good. Looking down the line - now you have to count carefully and the telephoto lens has compressed the image so it is a little difficult, but, you can see that most tires are not in great shape, but if you look carefully you can also see the Lotus's tires are clearly the best and the F138's tires also look better than most.

If I recall correctly, Red Bull almost completely ignored long runs during their last practice sessions at Barcelona and maybe this is why?

Click here or on the image for hi-res version:

[LewEngBridewell]

Good pic. Jenson's body language also reveals a lot.

[Hammer278]

Lol what is Lewis doing back there? You see the Merc parked close to the front, but Lewis is behind Jenson...did he want to take a look at the McLaren?

EDIT..oh I think his Merc is parked way at the back, just noticed.

[What's Burning?]

It's also not Lewis, it's Nico.

Very telling picture. Yeah, you can see how much better their tires are. It's the one exception.

[Hammer278]

Why is Nico still in a helmet and all suited up when he retired like more than 45 minutes before the end of the race.

[What's Burning?]

The picture of post Q3, not post race.

[FerrariFan63]

I felt this was a super interesting picture. I believe this was taken in park ferme immediately after qualifying. Felipe is clearly pointing out the condition of Seb's tires - and they certainly don't look good. Looking down the line - now you have to count carefully and the telephoto lens has compressed the image so it is a little difficult, but, you can see that most tires are not in great shape, but if you look carefully you can also see the Lotus's tires are clearly the best and the F138's tires also look better than most.

If I recall correctly, Red Bull almost completely ignored long runs during their last practice sessions at Barcelona and maybe this is why?

Click here or on the image for hi-res version:
http://miascuderia.com/media/2013/2013A ... QTires.jpg

It's an interesting and informative picture. But unfortunately I think it's absolutely crying out to be used in a caption competition.

[stonemonkey]

It's an interesting and informative picture. But unfortunately I think it's absolutely crying out to be used in a caption competition.

That was my thoughts too:



'Stephanie........Julie.......and that one's called Hungry Heidi.....'

[andrew]

I've just noticed but the nose of the RB9 looks like a snake eating something too wide for its mouth. The red of the bull on either side looks like the eyes.

[stonemonkey]

I've just noticed but the nose of the RB9 looks like a snake eating something too wide for its mouth. The red of the bull on either side looks like the eyes.

Yep, the bendy nose vid last year looked like he was trying to wrestle it out it's mouth.

Maybe that's why he's called it hungry, then again, maybe the real heidi likes to stuff things in her gob.

[What's Burning?]

I've just noticed but the nose of the RB9 looks like a snake eating something too wide for its mouth. The red of the bull on either side looks like the eyes.

Lay off the funny looking cigarettes.

[Hammer278]

I've just noticed but the nose of the RB9 looks like a snake eating something too wide for its mouth. The red of the bull on either side looks like the eyes.

[andrew]

I've just noticed but the nose of the RB9 looks like a snake eating something too wide for its mouth. The red of the bull on either side looks like the eyes.

Lay off the funny looking cigarettes.

Ruins all my fun.

[Ferrari man 009]

Felipe Massa said it was a strategic gamble from Fernando Alonso that swapped the order of the Ferraris in the Australian Grand Prix, rather than any team favouritism.

Massa had outqualified Alonso and was running ahead of his team-mate through the first two stints.

But before the second pitstops, Alonso came in early and was able to leapfrog both Massa and leader Sebastian Vettel thanks to a clear lap on fresh tyres.

Massa denied this was a case of Ferrari putting Alonso on a preferential strategy and said he would not have wanted to pit when his team-mate did because in theory the tactic should not have worked.

The Brazilian felt Ferrari needed to get at least 15 laps out of each set of tyres, whereas Alonso pitted after 11.

"When you're fighting with the guy at the front and then you lose two positions, you're always disappointed," Massa said.

"Honestly it was a little bit too early to stop. We were planning to stop maybe three or four laps after.

"Looking at the degradation on the tyres, it was quite high. But he took a risk and it worked."

"The track improved and it was much better for keeping the pace with more rubber on the track, and he didn't have any cars in front," said the Brazilian, who ultimately finished fourth.

"So it worked. For sure when you are behind it's always easier to stop before and try to take the risk.

"I am a little bit disappointed about this but overall I'm happy because the way we started the season was very, very positive."

So there you go, straight from the horses mouth. Ferrari didn't screw Massa or any of this other false and laughable BS i've heard and read today.

Well some of the quoted 'false and laughable BS' ,also came out of Filipes mouth. So I guess we have to make our own minds up about it. I'll keep an open mind over the next few races, though I'm not really convinced about Sunday.But Ferrari would be stupid to mess with Felipe's mind again in a season where the constructors looks like being close.

To be fair, I think Massa's comments post race might have been a little "heat in the moment" and maybe he didnt know at the time that it was Fernando's decision.

Was it me or should Ferrari have put Massa on a 2 stop? Just seemed Ferrari's degredation was ok and I just thought it would have been good to have split the strategies and would have probably led to a Ferrari win in two ways.

1) Massa stays ahead of Kimi, and wins the race on a 2 stop.

2) Massa loses pace, holds Kimi up for a while allowing Alonso to close in on Kimi and get past in the latter stages.

I know it would have been a risk, as Ferrari were wearing a bit more, but Alonso's 3rd stint was over 20 laps and he was still doing very good times when he pitted so it could have been possible, plus a split strategy would have given Ferrari a better chance of winning in my opinion!