Friday: Ferrari aims for the top spots

Fernando Alonso – 4th and 4th:

« As it often happens on Friday, today we managed to get an idea of what pace we should expect during Sunday’s race. The conditions seem somewhat stable for the entire weekend, and this will help analyze the times and strategies of other teams to understand exactly where we stand. The type of tire hasn’t changed, so we can rely on our experience from last year and besides that, they are the same for everyone. To gain an advantage over our rivals, it helps to understand them as well and as quickly as possible. Here, more than on other circuits, starting at the front is very important, and that’s why I think everyone will try to optimize their cars for qualifying, even if it means sacrificing a bit for the race. »

Felipe Massa – 15th and 5th:

« Everything went well today and we tested everything that was planned in our program, with a car that seems reasonably competitive. Even the long runs produced good results, and that’s an important factor for the rest of the weekend. Now we have to decide which solutions we tried can be used for qualifying and the race. On the track, it’s very important to start as high as possible, and we will do everything we can to be part of the action. Sunday is going to be difficult for everyone, as overtaking is almost impossible here, and on top of that, they have predicted very high temperatures, which will be a factor that must be fully considered when it’s time to get the most out of the car. »