What do u guys think? are they really having some troubles? :-$Felipe Massa has played down suggestions that Ferrari struggled to keep up with its Formula One rivals at the last two tests of 2006.
Despite the fact that Ferrari set the pace at Barcelona in late November, World Champions Renault, and notably McLaren, arguably shone the brightest as Jerez hosted December's two tests.
"So far we have been consistent," Brazilian Massa, to be joined at the Maranello based team in 2007 by Kimi Raikkonen, told the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ferrari, however, ended its on-track calendar for 2006 on a low note last Friday when tester Luca Badoer went just seventh quickest and endured an engine failure.
His colleague at the southern Spanish circuit, Marc Gene, was twelfth and in the company of runners for Super Aguri and Toro Rosso.
Ferrari's apparent lack of competitiveness so far has surprised some observers who expected the Italian marque to adapt quickly to Bridgestone's control tyres.
Massa insisted: "I have adapted well to the new tyres, and the new gearbox, which Luca has been testing, is not giving us any problems.
"The others have been faster, but we are working according to a different philosophy than Barcelona - we always work with a race setup and with a lot of fuel in the tank."
Pre-season testing resumes in mid January
2007 Testing ***Jerez Sept 18th-20th***
yup right dude,Ferrari will be competitive next year!!
Late January Ferrari debut for Raikkonen
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/56074
Late January Ferrari debut for Raikkonen
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/56074
Reports are that Spyker will not test in January either.
Albers has commented that Spyker needs to improve their pitstops...badAfter sitting out the nine days of pre-Christmas testing, Dutch formula one team Spyker will also not test in January, it has emerged. The Silverstone based squad was the only grand prix team to miss the pre-season runs at Barcelona and Jerez following the 2006 season, having revealed the decision to not build an 'interim' car for its new Ferrari engine. But despite expectations that Spyker would finally fall in line when the New Year ban ends in mid January, the Dutch businessman and Spyker F1 director Michiel Mol says the team is unlikely to test until February -- less than six weeks before the season kicks off in Melbourne. Mol said Spyker's first tests of 2007 will follow the launch of its new car. "This is the way we have chosen to most efficiently use our resources," Mol told the magazine Formule 1 Race Report. Arguably the biggest disadvantage for Spyker is the lack of knowledge of Bridgestone's new control tyre for 2007. Mol said: "It is not ideal, but we have a lot of experience with Bridgestone." Spyker will also start next year without a title sponsor, the Dutch magazine reported.
I am starting to believe that he will go to STR... I hope he can make it!Tiago Monteiro has promised to comment soon on the news that German rookie Adrian Sutil will take his race seat at Spyker next year.
Despite the indicative lack of official confirmation, Portugal's 30-year-old Monteiro - who joined the Silverstone based team in 2005 - has been recently confident about retaining the ride.
But in a media statement on Thursday, he said: "In response to the high level of interest shown by the media, friends and fans from all over the world, as a result of today's press release by Spyker F1 Team, I will soon provide more detailed comments relative to the situation.
"I thank all of you for your support and I would like to extend my best wishes for the holidays and the New Year."
Monteiro scored a total of seven points in his 37 Grand Prix, including a podium at last season's Bridgestone-only US Grand Prix.
E.A.
Source GMM
MASSA THE REAL MAN
monterio isnt a quick driver but he always brings the car home! albers is very quick always setting quick times in qualifing but doesnt briing the car home as much as monterio
they chose albers infront of monterio because of 1 reason.... 1 because he is quicker in time wise and just better them him and he out classed him in the 2006 season!
they chose albers infront of monterio because of 1 reason.... 1 because he is quicker in time wise and just better them him and he out classed him in the 2006 season!
look on http://www.spykerf1.com and it has all the spyker news on it i think they did sign a title sponser!