Massa tops truncated testing day

Eurosport - Wed, 11 Feb 18:57:00 2009

Felipe Massa of Ferrari went fastest in the morning before a sandstorm ended Wednesday's testing at Sakhir in Bahrain.

2009 Test Mugello Ferrari Massa - 0

Brazilian Massa's time of 1.33.639 was almost a second faster than that of BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica with the other runner, Timo Glock of Toyota, coming in third.

The deteriorating conditions ended proceedings less than two hours after they had begun, as the medical helicopter would have been unable to gain access to the drivers in the event of an emergency.

Massa, who completed 17 laps, said: "Obviously it's slightly frustrating that we could hardly drive today, due to the wind and the sand - but there's nothing we can do about it.

"We just have to accept it, although I have to say I'm quite satisfied with the work done so far here at Sakhir.

"Yesterday we drove many kilometres and the car was better than at Mugello, more stable and easier to drive, with constant lap-times.

"The team has been working very hard over the last weeks as far as the set-up is concerned and we could see the results.

"After a minor problem with the software yesterday, today we were able to use the KERS as we should.

"There's still a lot of work to do here and in other areas, but I think that we're heading in the right direction."

Testing is scheduled to continue on Thursday with Kimi Raikkonen taking the wheel of the F60.

Toyota's race and test chief engineer Dieter Gass stated: "It's ironic that we had a sandstorm today after coming to Bahrain to guarantee more running time.

"Still, we have six more days here and we remain confident that we will reap the rewards of better conditions during the rest of the test."

Wednesday testing results:

1 . Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 1:33.639 - 17 laps

2 . Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) +0.759 - 22

3 . Timo Glock (Toyota) +1.263 - 14

Eurosport

Comment 2 - 21 of 21

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  1. I TYSON. I disagree. He can be a regular loser.

    From chtech06, on Thu 12 Feb 10:18PM

  2. MASSA WON'T WIN AGAIN THIS YR, HE IS A ONCE CHANCE­ LOOSER

    From I TYSON, on Thu 12 Feb 10:13PM

  3. RR. I too hope he starts as he finished last season. In­ the back of the pits, crying his eyes out.

    From chtech06, on Thu 12 Feb 9:58PM

  4. 2008 World champion is? Youngest ever world champion­ is?? Most harshly treated in the paddock is??? Lewis­ Hamilton! He is the best and thats why he is world­ champion - period! Imagine how easily he would run away­ with the title if he was afforded the same treatment as­ a Ferrari driver!!! But despite all the best efforts of­ the sport (one rule for Lewis and none for Ferrari!) he­ still won! And why don't people like him??? Because­ he is THAT good!! Jealous Jealous Jealous.

    From STEVE T, on Thu 12 Feb 9:55PM

  5. They could do with truncating those wing mirrors

    From Pablo from Bolivia, on Thu 12 Feb 8:06PM

  6. Massa and kimi is the best driver.NOT the @#$% lewis

    From Zane, on Thu 12 Feb 6:48PM

  7. balogh.marcell: remind us all who is the world champion­ again will you? Who's the loser REALLY?

    From crispyduck, on Thu 12 Feb 6:19PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hamilton is a BEST!!
    massa is a LOSER!!
    Massa a has­ been but never will be loser cheat tifosi bandit

    From JEFF F, on Thu 12 Feb 5:02PM

  9. Massa is a BEST!!
    Hamilton is a LOSER!!

    From balogh.marcell, on Thu 12 Feb 2:14PM

  10. There is still lots of time....but,it seems as though­ Massa has a good Ferrari F60 under him.... and is fast­ as usual....He was the quickest driver in the later­ half of last season....and I hope he starts where he­ ended,on pole and win....

    From R R, on Thu 12 Feb 8:34AM

  11. hey eleana!!!...put a sock in it k..Sao Palo 2008 is­ history...or are you one of those people who can't­ ever look forward you must always hold onto the past

    From ericmueller1971, on Thu 12 Feb 6:28AM

  12. Nice irony Eleana. I hope you were only joking.

    From the real adrian, on Thu 12 Feb 5:10AM

  13. Irritating comment EleanaV - Boring in fact.

    From m.e.jenner, on Thu 12 Feb 4:44AM

  14. Hmm!

    From j.clark440, on Thu 12 Feb 4:30AM

  15. Glock came in third - amazing, why couldnt this be­ reported correctl "Glock managed to do another­ Braziliab granprix and come in last allowing the others­ to come first and second"

    From EleanaV, on Thu 12 Feb 3:28AM

  16. it was an awesome sand storm too, it rolled in about 9­ am as i was leaving the circuit, you couldn't see­ more than 100 ft at times,

    From gavinhalls, on Thu 12 Feb 3:08AM

  17. They need a pair of goggles behind their visors!lol

    From wizzo, on Thu 12 Feb 1:05AM

  18. Must be like driving through a sand-blaster. Yikes !!

    From Forza Ferrari, on Thu 12 Feb 12:59AM

  19. We,ll see if Kimi is fastest also on Thursday which he­ should be.They must be using more compacted air filters­ in these conditions.

    From wizzo, on Thu 12 Feb 12:31AM

  20. Fastest of 3. GO Massa.

    From chtech06, on Thu 12 Feb 12:27AM
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