Massa: KERS a huge loss for Ferrari
Suffering: After reliability problems with KERS, Ferrari have elected not to run the system this weekend
Felipe Massa reckons Ferrari’s decision not use its kinetic energy recovery system in China is costing the team much-needed performance.
The Maranello squad, which has endured its worst start to a season in 17 years, has elected not to run its KERS unit this weekend due to persistent reliability problems that manifested themselves at the first two grands prix.
But with the power boost which KERS provides expected to be of particular value at the Shanghai circuit, which features one of the longest straights on the calendar, Massa says Ferrari is inevitably paying a price for its conservatism.
The Brazilian, who finished Friday practice in 12th position, was dismayed by the team’s continuing inability to compete at the front with the F60.
“I can say our fight for the championship is ever more compromised,” he said.
“Here we are also running without KERS and as a result, we are losing even more performance, in addition to not having as much aerodynamic downforce as the best cars.
“We must try and push as hard as possible on the development of the car, but we know it will be very hard to catch up.
“The only recipe for getting out of this difficulty is to work.”
Team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was marginally slower than Massa in 14th, but disagreed that the loss of KERS was a major problem – instead blaming a general lack of performance.
“The balance of the car isn’t bad and one doesn’t feel the lack of KERS,” said the Finn.
“The point is that we are too slow compared to the teams currently at the top of the order.
“We must try and improve the car: at the moment, we are not able to fight for the title.”
Raikkonen added that he was confident Ferrari could put its current troubles behind it and rediscover winning form.
“We must not give up the fight because, with the whole team working hard, we can get back into a winning position,” he said.
“It’s not an easy time, but our group is strong and we know what needs to be done to get out of this situation.”
Team boss Stefano Domenicali concurred with Massa that the decision not to run KERS carried a lap time penalty and admitted that Ferrari will not be able to make substantial progress until the European season gets underway.
The team is aiming to introduce major revisions to the F60, including a new double diffuser, in time for next month’s Spanish Grand Prix.
“As for today’s track activity, I can say it turned out much as we had expected,” said Domenicali.
“We will have to run a few races on the defensive and try to do the best we can.
“Clearly, without KERS, we lose a bit of performance and initial indications are that we are not seeing any improvement in the balance of a car that, let’s not forget, was designed to carry this system.
“We are in a difficult situation and we must try and stay calm and work hard on all fronts.”
Source: itv.com/f1
Suffering: After reliability problems with KERS, Ferrari have elected not to run the system this weekend
Felipe Massa reckons Ferrari’s decision not use its kinetic energy recovery system in China is costing the team much-needed performance.
The Maranello squad, which has endured its worst start to a season in 17 years, has elected not to run its KERS unit this weekend due to persistent reliability problems that manifested themselves at the first two grands prix.
But with the power boost which KERS provides expected to be of particular value at the Shanghai circuit, which features one of the longest straights on the calendar, Massa says Ferrari is inevitably paying a price for its conservatism.
The Brazilian, who finished Friday practice in 12th position, was dismayed by the team’s continuing inability to compete at the front with the F60.
“I can say our fight for the championship is ever more compromised,” he said.
“Here we are also running without KERS and as a result, we are losing even more performance, in addition to not having as much aerodynamic downforce as the best cars.
“We must try and push as hard as possible on the development of the car, but we know it will be very hard to catch up.
“The only recipe for getting out of this difficulty is to work.”
Team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was marginally slower than Massa in 14th, but disagreed that the loss of KERS was a major problem – instead blaming a general lack of performance.
“The balance of the car isn’t bad and one doesn’t feel the lack of KERS,” said the Finn.
“The point is that we are too slow compared to the teams currently at the top of the order.
“We must try and improve the car: at the moment, we are not able to fight for the title.”
Raikkonen added that he was confident Ferrari could put its current troubles behind it and rediscover winning form.
“We must not give up the fight because, with the whole team working hard, we can get back into a winning position,” he said.
“It’s not an easy time, but our group is strong and we know what needs to be done to get out of this situation.”
Team boss Stefano Domenicali concurred with Massa that the decision not to run KERS carried a lap time penalty and admitted that Ferrari will not be able to make substantial progress until the European season gets underway.
The team is aiming to introduce major revisions to the F60, including a new double diffuser, in time for next month’s Spanish Grand Prix.
“As for today’s track activity, I can say it turned out much as we had expected,” said Domenicali.
“We will have to run a few races on the defensive and try to do the best we can.
“Clearly, without KERS, we lose a bit of performance and initial indications are that we are not seeing any improvement in the balance of a car that, let’s not forget, was designed to carry this system.
“We are in a difficult situation and we must try and stay calm and work hard on all fronts.”
Source: itv.com/f1
