"I had the privilege of driving a 375 F1 and a few hours later, I won the same race that Ferrari won 60 years ago. In our team, there are people who are the children of people who worked for the Scuderia at this time. And they share the same love and passion for racing."
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Monday, July 25, 2011
Fernando Alonso drives the 375F1 at Silverstone !
"I had the privilege of driving a 375 F1 and a few hours later, I won the same race that Ferrari won 60 years ago. In our team, there are people who are the children of people who worked for the Scuderia at this time. And they share the same love and passion for racing."
Silverstone GP : Alonso & Massa Sunday quotes
"It's really wonderful, the team has done incredible work and I dedicate this victory to everyone in Maranello, as well as the track that my driver's license, as Felipe with a good car. It's very special to win here because this track is legendary Silverstone, especially the fans who love both cars. In addition, the characteristics of here were not suited to our car, but it is clear that the changes were very helpful. At first it was not easy to control because some portions of the circuit was very wet and others were dry or slightly damp. There were difficult moments, as when Hamilton passed me, but we stayed very calm, confident that we could gain an advantage later, I realized that I could only win when I got back on track after the last pit stops. It is obvious that the problem of Vettel in the stands has greatly contributed to this result, like the fact that Lewis Hamilton could contain both Red Bull behind him for several laps, but I must say that on a dry track we were really strong. Earlier in the day, I had the privilege of driving the 375 F1 and then a few hours later, I won the same race, 60 years after Ferrari\u0026#39;s first victory was here, nothing has changed since time, the passion is the same. We are going to Germany with the morale up, Red Bull is still the best car, but the improvements we make to help us fight, more than at the beginning of the season, we did not discouraged, but we responded, now we are reaping the fruits of labor."
Felipe Massa :
"I congratulate Fernando [Alonso] who made a great race today. Celebrating 60 years of Ferrari's first victory with a win, it's magic. Qualifying race as we become more efficient, and it is a very good thing. I did not have a good rhythm today, I do not know why ... the end of the race the team told me that I could still catch up with Lewis [Hamilton], who had reduced his pace so as not to fail gasoline. I do my best to go as long as I could."
Silverstone GP : Alonso & Massa Saturday quotes
"I think it was the best qualifications in terms of performance. Is that this result is worse than in Canada (second he was gone) but I was farther from the pole than I am today. On a circuit whose characteristics were not suit our car, to be a little over a tenth is a good sign. The new parts, we have made here have worked well and I think tomorrow we can put those before us under pressure. The team did a lot of work and this step forward, it will help. We also made progress in how we manage the tires: we have seen in the few laps we had a chance to dry runway. The performance of the gums will be very important tomorrow, either on dry or wet track. We will have to be trimmed every eventuality, it will be important to a good start.
Do I hope it will rain? No, especially for fans who have had two days in the rain. Hopefully there is entertainment for the many spectators."
Felipe Massa:
"I would say it was a good qualifying for us as the third and fourth on the grid is a good result, especially when compared to the previous Saturday. At first glance, I think I did a good lap with a few small mistakes, I thought I could make up for it on my second run but the rain came, it was impossible to improve. The fourth position is positive, especially since I McLaren ahead of the two. From what we saw, the car seems competitive, but of course we do not know what will happen with the competition, when the tanks are full and also the behavior of the tires. It is therefore difficult to make predictions, the race will be like a tunnel, the more we advance the more you will see the light. As to whether our good performance is linked to the new rules, I do not think because we have also this system so we are also penalized.
It is clear that some cars more than others have lost support, but I would say we have made progress with our developments introduced here. I do not know how else to explain the fact that we managed to get good qualifications."
Silverstone GP : Alonso & Massa Friday quotes
"It's always nice to come to Silverstone is a historic race for F1 but also for Ferrari, which had its first league win here, sixty years ago. I like the new paddock, although I must say that the final part of the pit lane at the bottom of the track is not great, it means that viewers do not see the stops. The rain certainly has not been profitable to this day, which was designed to allow us to evaluate new aerodynamic components which we have brought here. We tried to do what was in our power, using a single set of tires intermediaries in order to preserve them for tomorrow and Sunday, because we do not know what will happen this weekend. I took a one times the risk of putting slick tires at the end of the first session because the conditions were acceptable, but the track was too wet.
From what I've seen, it is difficult to judge the performance level of news, but it seems that on a wet track the car was not bad as was the case in Canada, it's positive knowing that it may rain tomorrow, when I argue about whether Webber for the championship? I support Ferrari!"
Felipe Massa :
"In this weather, it was a difficult day, the rain was present during the two practice sessions. However, it seems that the car behaves quite well on a wet track, which is positive for the rest of the weekend as there is more chance of rain tomorrow and Sunday. It is also the reason I use the intermediate tires, I had a bit of graining on the front, especially at the start of the second session, but towards the end the situation has improved and tire performance was better. Therefore, it is difficult to say where we are with respect to competitors, as the track conditions changing constantly, it is also difficult to know where we stand."
Alonso's Blog : let's go to Germany !
| "The German Grand Prix is bang in the middle of the 2011 championship: we have had nine races so far and, after the one at the Nurburgring, we will face the same number again. Some might say that makes it a time to assess what’s gone before, but I prefer not to look too closely at the standings. We had a difficult start, but from a few races ago up until now, we have got back to being competitive. It cannot be denied that we have made progress, up to the point where we have actually taken a fully deserved win on one of the tracks – Silverstone - that on paper was least suited to our car. However, that great victory must not change our approach: we most continue to tackle one race after another, without looking at the classification and then, at the end, we will do the maths. So we head off for Germany in the same spirit we demonstrated in England, but with the additional awareness that we are now more competitive. |
| After the race across the Channel, I came back to spend a few day relaxing at home. I know we have two very busy weeks ahead of us so I thought it best to recharge the batteries, spending some time with my family and doing some training. From Monday evening, I was in Maranello where I was involved in preparations for the German Grand Prix, which meant a lot of work on the simulator and meetings with the engineers. But in addition, there were also a whole range of activities that see me ever more involved in life at Ferrari. For example, yesterday I took part in a prizegiving ceremony for the top three finalists in a Ferrari World Design Contest: it was very interesting for me to see how much passion these youngsters from all over the world have for their vision of the Ferrari of the future. This morning I was involved in some promotional work, along with two of our partners and then I was invited by President Montezemolo to Podio Ferrari, the event that brings together in Maranello, all the company’s suppliers, both those that work with the Scuderia and those whose relationship is with our colleagues on the road car side. The four prizewinners got the chance to do some laps of the Fiorano track in a 458 Italia: I don’t know if they expected me to be their driver, but I think they enjoyed the experience! Finally, I went to say hello to over four hundred kids, all children of the workforce here, who were taking part in the summer camp organised by the company. As you can imagine, it meant total immersion in the world of Ferrari and it will continue right up to the end of the month. In fact, already from Sunday night, after the German Grand Prix, I will travel back to Maranello with the team and stay another three days before we all head off together for Budapest. The 7th August marks the start of the factory shut-down established by FOTA, which means we will have to prepare for the Spa race, one of the most interesting of the year, well ahead of time. |
| That’s why I think this will be a very busy time, but I have to say I am really getting to like feeling part of this world. Now might not be the time to think too much about all that, because as from tomorrow, a race weekend gets underway at the historic venue that is the Nurburgring, where I have already won twice. There’s a saying about something happening twice, but I don’t want to jinx my chances by saying it, so it’s up to the fans to work out what it is!" |
Fernando's Blog : amazing victory !
| What a great feeling, winning again! And I’m revelling in it all the more now I’m back home in Oviedo. When a Grand Prix is over, there is a rush of emotion, but then there are so many things to do, what with press conferences and the debrief, so you have to stay very focussed. But the following morning, you wake up happy and there’s a truly special feeling that goes with it. And I have to say I’m still feeling that way now! I haven’t spent too much time thinking about the technical reasons behind the win in the British Grand Prix. Each race has its own story and we know only too well how much things can change when you go from one track to another. There were definitely some major improvements on the car, which mean it feels much easier to drive now and you can feel it much more stuck to the ground than before, especially in the fast corners. That means it’s got more aerodynamic downforce, which was the area where we trailed our main rivals the most. However, I don’t think the changes to the engine mapping were a factor: we were quicker specifically at the part of the track where you practically don’t have to brake, which means it is the actual car that is going well. |
| This win won’t change our approach to the coming races. We have to be realistic, because we are 92 points behind in the classification and that is a very big gap! We will tackle the races one at a time, trying to win as many as possible. This will also involve taking a few more risks and maybe it will happen that we pay a high price for that, but there is no alternative. We are definitely not giving up, but we must not think about the championship: as Montezemolo said yesterday in Maranello, we are keeping our feet on the ground. On Sunday morning, I had great fun doing a couple of laps in the 375 F1 which brought Ferrari its first championship Grand Prix win back in 1951. I had already driven a very similar car, the 375 Indy, in Valencia at the Ferrari Days event. It definitely takes a bit of getting used to with a very different pedal arrangement, with the accelerator on the left and the brake on the right. The engine power to tyre grip ratio is the complete opposite of the cars we drive today. You need to change your driving style to go quickly, but it was a wonderful experience. Sure, back then, not only did the drivers need to be incredibly talented, but they also needed a good dose of craziness! There was a special atmosphere at Silverstone on Sunday. The crowd is always very big there and they are all very involved in the event. For us it felt different and I can’t explain why: maybe it was because we wanted to do well on this important anniversary in our history. Ever since I have been with Ferrari, there have often been unusual coincidences between my wins and special moments. For example, on my debut in red in Bahrain last year, or the first time I raced for the Scuderia at Monza. Now this win has come, sixty years after Gonzalez took the victory. I hope there will be many more moments like this! |
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Silverstone GP : Alonso & Massa Friday quotes
"It's always nice to come to Silverstone is a historic race for F1 but also for Ferrari, which had its first league win here, sixty years ago. I like the new paddock, even if I must say that the final part of the pit lane at the bottom of the track is not great, it means that viewers do not see the stops. The rain was certainly not beneficial to this day, which was intended to enable us to evaluate new aerodynamic components which we have brought here. We tried to do what was in our power, using a single set of tires intermediaries in order to preserve them for tomorrow and Sunday, because we do not know not what will happen this weekend. only time I took a risk putting slick tires at the end of the first session because the conditions were acceptable, but the track was too wet. From what I have seen, it is difficult to judge the performance level of the new things , but it seems that on a wet track the car was not bad as was the case in Canada, it's positive knowing that tomorrow may rain, when I argue about whether Webber for championship? I support Ferrari!"
Felipe Massa :
"In this weather, it was a difficult day, the rain was present during the two practice sessions. However, it seems that the car behaves quite well on a wet track, which is positive for the rest of the weekend as there is more chance of rain tomorrow and Sunday. It is also the reason I use the intermediate tires, I had a bit of graining on the front, especially at the start of the second session, but towards the end the situation has improved and tire performance was better. Therefore, it is difficult to say where we are with respect to competitors, as the track conditions changing constantly, it is also difficult to know where we stand."
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