FORMULA ONE - F1: Ferrari Annoyed By Massa Breakdown

Formula 1

F1: Ferrari Annoyed By Massa Breakdown

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali was left frustrated by an electrical failure on Felipe Massa's car, as the team still await their first points of 2009.

SPEED Staff | Posted April 19, 2009 Shanghai (CHN)

Massa's Ferrari is brought back on a truck after breaking down in the Chinese GP (LAT)

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali was left frustrated by an electrical failure on Felipe Massa's car, as the team still await their first points of 2009.

Massa was lying in a promising third place on lap 21 when he suddenly ground to a halt on the back straight while under the second safety car period, and Domenicali believed that it cost the Brazilian a podium finish at the very least.

“Today, we are very annoyed about what happened to Felipe" said Domenicali. "He was driving an amazing race, when an electrical problem saw the engine die. He was third at the time and even though he had a heavy fuel load, he was lapping in the same time as the fastest and he would have almost certainly finished the race on the podium."

Massa said that despite the failure, his determination was still the same as before, and that he was ready to do whatever was necessary to get Ferrari back to the front, after three questionable showings this year.

"Obviously, I’m very disappointed and a bit upset but my motivation is still intact." said Massa. "All of us must work together to get out of this situation. The team is united and there is a real will to turn things round as soon as possible.

We also have to sort out as soon as possible our reliability problems, because if we want to win, first we have to finish the races" he added. "Today, I was in with a good chance of getting on the podium. I was third and lapping in the same times as the leaders, even though I had enough fuel on board to go for a one stop. The car was going well, except when running behind the Safety Car: at those times, there were a few moments when the power seemed to drop. Then, without warning, the accelerator would not work and the car went quiet.

I would say to our fans that they should not give up on us, as this is a difficult moment, but the championship is still long.”

Kimi Raikkonen was unable to restore Ferrari pride, as a switch from a two-stop to a one-stop strategy failed to reap dividends. The Finn eventually finished tenth, complaining that his engine performance was not ideal and that the F60 chassis simply isn't quick enough.

“In the early stages, it wasn’t too bad but then, after my stop, I lost grip from the tyres and I was no longer able to push as hard as I wanted, because it meant the car was sliding a lot" said Raikkonen.

"A few times" he added, "the engine seemed to lose power, especially when I found myself close behind other cars, but then the problem went away on its own. Clearly the championship situation looks very difficult. We have made mistakes and we are not quick enough.

Raikkonen did suggest that there was light at the end of the tunnel in the form of aerodynamic developments.

"In Barcelona, when we will have new aero parts, we should be able to pick up some of the grip we are lacking now" he concluded. "I am sure we can be competitive enough to win again but this work will take time. The team is motivated, I’m sure of that and we will all do our bit. Now it is easy to criticize, but we know how to turn things round.”

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