Felipe Massa has said that his Ferrari team can profit from the high attrition rate which normally characterises the opening Grand Prix of the season.
The Brazilian, who despite being upgraded to sixth on the grid by the demotion of the Toyotas, is these days unaccustomed to mid-pack tussles. However, he expects there to be accidents and unreliability issues for other teams tomorrow.
”The first round of the season here in Australia is always a step into the unknown, especially as the track is slippery and accidents are a strong possibility. We will try to get to the finish and to pick up as many points as possible,” said last year’s world championship runner-up.
Team principal Stefano Domenicali echoed Massa’s sentiments, but added that he was disappointed by the performance of the car today.
”[Today] we did not live up to our potential. We have to work out why that happened and at the same time, prepare as well as possible for a race that is bound to be very difficult and uncertain.”
Meanwhile Kimi Raikkonen in the other Friday admitted that a hydraulic problem had cost him his morning practice session.
‘This morning, a hydraulic problem meant I pretty much missed out on the third free practice session: a shame, but better that this should happen on Saturday than Sunday. The car was far from ideal for qualifying but I think we are in pretty good shape for the race,” said the Finn, optimistically.
