Felipe Massa Tops First Valencia Test Session
Brazilian Felipe Massa insisted on Monday he felt no fear as he returned to the track after being seriously injured in an accident at last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix by setting the fastest time in pre-season testing.
The Ferrari driver said he was “happy to be back on the track after spending so much time looking at the races on television” as he completed 103 laps to clock a fastest lap of 1 minute 12.574 seconds.
He led 38-year-old Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, returning to Formula One with Sauber after many years spent as a McLaren test driver, as seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher set the third fastest time.
Wearing a red helmet, the 41-year-old German took his Mercedes team car out for the first time here ahead of his official return to the sport after a three-year absence.
“From a physical point of view, I feel very well,” said Massa, who suffered severe head injuries when he was struck at around 250 kph by a spring that flew off Ruben Barrichello’s Brawn car on July 25.
“I completed more than 100 laps, but I could have done double that.
“I’ve already done tests with the old car. Everything was better than what I thought in terms of timing and consistency. For me everything was normal.”
Massa said: “The car seems to be going in the right direction. It’s easier to drive compared to last year, when it was always complicated to find a good balance. But there is still a lot to do before the first race.”
As for Schumacher, Massa admitted: “It’s a bit strange to see a silver car with a red helmet.”
Massa added that he had joked with Schumacher on the track: “I overtook him, he waved to me!”
The first race of the season is the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14. - AFP/de
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I wonder how long it will be before Schui drops that red helmet for a sponsors colours/livery/logo.
That red helmet was change from his original, white with German colours design, to a Marlboro freindly Ferrari design. I was actually surprised he still ran with it today as it screams Phillip Morris/Ferrari.
Did you read Barichello’s advise to Rosberg at Merc GP, after seeing Schui’s times…….”get out of there”!
It wouldn’t surprise me if Schumy kept the red helmet as a dig at Luca and Ferrari. “I could have driven for you”.
Serves the butt heads right for forcing “Der Miester” out in the first place.
Regarding poor Nico, Schumy has already taken his car number so what’s left besides No. 1 driver??? One thing is certain, Schumy will work his and the team’s butts off to get the car the way HE likes it. How they evolve the car with so little testing time available will be one determining factor in his success or failure. Failure to me would be if he turned in a mediocre season.
And a mediocre season would be if finished out of the top three or four.