Press, Ferrari, criticise Massa

F1i.com

Apr.11 (GMM) The notorious Italian press and Ferrari directed varying
levels of criticism at Felipe Massa after the Malaysian grand prix.
For letting both McLarens past at the first corner and then falling off
the track in a battle with rookie Lewis Hamilton, the sports daily La
Gazzetta dello Sport refused to mince its words in contemplation of the
Brazilian’s form.
"Massa did everything wrong," the editorial said.
La Repubblica, meanwhile – which is Italy’s major broadsheet – excused
fellow Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen for managing only third place
because the Finn had to run a de-tuned engine for the Sepang race.


But the newspaper, perhaps recalling the Maranello based team’s
disastrous 2005 season, nevertheless wrote: "Ferrari rediscovers its
fears". The Maranello fan club noted that the retired Michael
Schumacher "would not have let this happen".
Ferrari chiefs’ criticism of Massa, 25, was gentler, but nonetheless
fairly plain.
For example, team principal Jean Todt made it clear that while
Raikkonen’s engine was "compromised", Massa’s V8 unit was "quite fresh"
after a pre-race change in Australia.
Technical and strategic chief Luca Baldisserri expressed his
disappointment by pointing out that mere "data" can not explain
Ferrari’s apparent lack of performance last Sunday.
"We have to see what happened," he said, "especially close to turn one
where Felipe didn’t tuck into the corner."
Todt continued: "We know we are facing very strong teams and quite
simply, (in Malaysia) they were better and they deserved their success.
"Nothing to say. Next week, we will try to do a better job.
"We have a car that I think should be able to be competitive in
Bahrain. Hopefully if we do a better start we should be able to race
with our competitors," Todt said.

Like I said, Ferrari should know now which driver to put infront of the grid, because at this early stage Kimi cannot afford to lose points out to McLaren. Kimi had never lost his pole position in 2005 where he was challenging for the championship. He is the more experienced driver for this situation, and Massa needs to sit back and watch how its done hehehehehehe. No really, Massa needs to stay up there to also help Ferrari keep up with McLaren in the constructors.