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| Sep 27, 2008 | |
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Massa playing it cool
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| Brazilian will drive own race, with or without help from teammate | |
| By Marc Lim | |
| FELIPE Massa is not about to be embroiled in a rivalry with Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen.
Not on the eve of the world's first Formula One night race. And certainly, not when he is on track for the drivers' title. Massa was nonchalant when asked to comment on Raikkonen's revelation that he will not be a willing participant should Ferrari decide to make Massa their main driver in the season's final four races. 'I would never comment on what I read or what I heard, I don't do that kind of thing,' the Brazilian told The Straits Times at a Shell event to mark the 10th anniversary of its premium fuel V-Power. 'Everyone's working hard to win the championship and that's the important thing. Not what people say, what people heard. That's not really my style to comment.' With Ferrari leading the race in the constructors' challenge by five points on 134 and Massa on 77 points in the drivers' standings, one behind leader Lewis Hamilton of McLaren, there has been talk that Ferrari may make Massa their top priority in the race to the finish. Raikkonen is fourth on 57 points. But the Finn, speaking to Ferrariworld, hinted that he is still set on retaining his drivers' title even if Massa gets privileged status. Despite being winless since April, he told Ferrariworld: 'The most important thing is to win again. The situation in the championship is what it is and it doesn't depend any more only on my results, but on my competitors' results. 'In theory, it's not over yet.' The situation Ferrari find themselves in is rare in F1 teams - both drivers still chasing the drivers' title as there are a maximum of 40 points up for grabs in the final four races. Often, teams identify a No.1 driver. Those which have tried to keep two stars happy in a team have found it tough - as McLaren, with Hamilton and Fernando Alonso last season, can testify. Such was the rivalry that both drivers were not on talking terms, with Alonso departing for Renault at the end of the season. In fact, Massa is familiar with playing the lesser role. Teams can also choose to give title contenders more advantageous fuel strategies, as was the case in Brazil last season. Then, Massa pitted earlier than his teammate and emerged in second place, ensuring that the Finn got the win he needed to take the drivers' title by one point. But it seems unlikely that Raikkonen will be as gracious this season. Yesterday, Massa maintained that both Ferrari drivers are not exactly pals off the track. Theirs is a working relationship which has worked so far. He said: 'Kimi is a guy who doesn't talk so much and is not very interested about many things. But there is a professional side. He knows what to do and we work pretty well together. 'For sure we are not going out or even talking, because he doesn't talk a lot. 'But on a professional side, we get along very well and that's the most important thing to keep the team moving forward.' Drivers aside, this team mentality is evident in the rest of the team, allowing Ferrari to lead the constructors' table again. From technicians to researchers, all have played key roles in driving the team to the top. Massa credited Shell, Ferrari's technological partners, for their advancement in fuel and lubricants. Said Massa, who started out as a test driver with Ferrari in 2002, when he also played in role in testing for Shell: 'This season, we can't develop the engine as much. And when you can't get extra horsepower from the engine, it's the fuel and lubricants which give you extra power.' He also gets occasional tips from former colleague and F1 great Michael Schumacher, who retired in 2006. Massa raced alongside the German in his final season and still continues to learn from him. He said: 'We speak on the phone about the racing side, but also about other things. I have a great relationship with Michael.' While recognising Schumacher as one of the sport's legends, alongside Ayrton Senna, Massa reckons F1 is in a new era, a change from the time when Schumacher was virtually untouchable. Said Massa: 'We have great drivers, with big talent. We have a very competitive championship. It used to be kind of boring, with the title being decided in the middle of the season. But now, things are very interesting, with the competition so high... with new idols and incredible drivers.' Should he win tomorrow, it would go some way to helping establish himself as a new idol in the sport. And the Brazilian has set his mind to it - with or without his teammate's help. | |
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