MASSAcre in Spain
MONTMELO, May 13th 2007 -
Felipe Massa took his second consecutive win and the fourth of his career in Spain today. “It wasn’t easy” the Brazilian Ferrari driver said just after the race.
WHEEL TO WHEEL - The start was marked by the wheel to wheel duel between the McLaren of the Spaniard Fernando Alonso and the Ferrari of Felipe Massa. Then Ferrari fans received a scare with flames wrapping the back part of the F2007 for a fraction of a second after Massa’s pit stop. “At the beginning I defended my position - Mass said - it was a bit risky but it was important to remain ahead in the first curve. I did not want to be passed as it had happened in Malaysia. I was to the inside, I had a contact with Alonso that was to close to me. I feared the car had endured some damage. Fortunately nothing bad happened. I gained ground, I knew of having the race under control I was able to plan the second pit stop without worries “.
BAD LUCK FOR KIMI - In the Ferrari pits, the only long face was that of Kimi Raikkonen, k.o. after 10 laps due to a problem at the alternator. “Too bad for the trouble that Kimi had - Massa said - we could have even put up a double. We lost points in the Constructors’ Championship, but the championship is still open. We will recover soon, hopefully as early as the next race”.
HAPPY LEWIS - the Ferrari paradox of this race is obvious. In spite of the victory Ferrari lost the lead of the Drivers’ World Championship. To whom? None other than rookie Lewis Hamilton. For him, this was the fourth podium in 4 races: “It is not a dream, it is the truth - Hamilton says - being first in the championship and at this moment I am sitting beside the two greatest drivers. The departure was essential, I wanted to make up ground and I was successful in passing Raikkonen. Fernando (Alonso) ended up in the gravel and I passed him. Our pace is good in this moment, my lap times were similar to those of Massa. The result today is the fruit of a great job that the team has done in the last 4 weeks. The win? I hope take it soon “.
REMORSES FOR ALONSO - If in the first turn he had not exaggerated with Massa perhaps he could have had a totally different race: “the contact to the first curve was crucial, in the end we were unlucky - confirms Fernando Alonso - I had little fuel compared to my rivals and if I had passed… “.
Source: Gazzetta dello Sport
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