Ferrari driver Felipe Massa took part in the official Thursday afternoon press conference here at the Hungaroring ahead of the twelfth race of the 2010 season and as it was at this venue a year ago where he was involved in an accident that saw him sit out the rest of the season.
Naturally he was quizzed on this, as well as the situation that saw him hand over his win to Fernando Alonso in Germany less than a week ago.
Felipe, first of all, of course, coming back here where you had an awful accident last year. I believe that you have been to the hospital and met up with some of the rescue people. Tell us about it?
The thing is it is a very special place looking at what’s happened to me so many times here. Coming in 2007 and having a difficult qualifying and doing a bad race from the back. Even in 2006 and then you come into 2008 and it was one of the best races of my career, starting third going to first at the first corner and doing fantastic pace and then suddenly from the middle of the race to the end it starts to reduce the pace, saving the car, just to finish the race in the position I was which was first and then three laps to go the engine blows up. For here it is okay, definitely. But then you come the next year. It was a difficult season. We didn’t have the same pace we wanted compared to 2008. But I think it was a good track for us. Kimi (Räikkönen) finished second and we were pretty good on the test. I think it was supposed to be a good race weekend as well and then the most incredible accident, the most incredible thing happens of all my life. Anyway it is a special place for me and we know that after such a difficult time that I had here it is a track I enjoy, a place I enjoy and a place that everybody supports me especially everywhere I go after the accident. So Iet’s try to keep pushing.
Have you managed to meet up with some of the hospital people?
Yeah, I went to the hospital here inside the track. I saw most of the people who took me out from the car and did a lot for me which was very important in that moment. I think this is the best thing that can happen in your life to see a guy who is working very hard to help you. I think this is really nice .
Looking back at last weekend a point you made was that you are not very happy on the harder tyres. Are you going to be happier on the combination that we have here?
Well, I expect so. It was definitely a much better combination compared to many races that I had the hard tyres.
And a word about last weekend. What are your feelings after Hockenheim?
Well, we know that sometimes you have a difficult time but anyway you always learn and we always need to think forward and always need to be stronger and stronger all the time in your career, in your life, and what I can say is I am very strong and looking forward to the victory.
Rubens, what did you think when you heard what Felipe had to do last week and do you regret you were forced to do the same thing in 2002 in Austria? To Felipe, do you think you should have done something last week because of the comments that came out in the Brazilian media?
Rubens B: All I can say is that I was very sorry to see he had to go through such a bad thing. There is nothing else. Nobody should have to go through those feelings and Felipe is a friend and I wished he didn’t go through that.
Felipe: I did a great race last race and it was definitely a nice time one year after the accident but, anyway, we need to look forward and think about this weekend which is the most important thing.
Felipe, does this also change something in your perspective of your relationship with Ferrari? Was this something that was unexpected and might change your vision of the future?
For sure it makes me even stronger.
Felipe, after the last race, I asked you if you were not worried about your image in Brazil, and you said ‘absolutely no.’ And after almost a week, we realise what happened there. What’s your comment? People say that you betrayed the country.
For sure not. I will always do everything I can for my country. For me my country is the most important thing. For sure, I have already proved many times in my life many things I did in my life, in my career, what I’m able to do for my country, and as I said, definitely whoever is thinking like that is completely wrong. I’m doing everything I can, I will always do everything I can for my country, which is the most important thing for me, because it’s my home.
Felipe, welcome back here first of all. In the post-race press conference in Germany, obviously neither yourself nor Fernando (Alonso) would concede that team orders had taken place. Obviously what followed was that the FIA found Ferrari guilty and fined them, and the matter is now going before the World Motorsport Council. On that basis, can we get your reaction to the fact that the FIA found Ferrari guilty? And also you said that you were looking forward to fighting for victory here. If a similar situation to what happened in Germany was to arise here, would you be allowed to fight for victory?
As I said, there’s no real point in going back to last weekend. We need to think about the present. I think we have spoken a lot about what’s happened in the last race. So yes, I will fight for victory here in whatever conditions.
So if you are in the same situation this weekend, you will react in the same way or not?
I will win.
Felipe, we understood that when you say that you are working for the team, at least when you said it last week, working for the team now risks to be working for your teammate.
For sure not. I’m working for the team and we know how important it is to work for the team.
But if your teammate has to fight to be World Champion, it’s mainly himself…
Well, I think you remember very well what has happened in the past, no? In 2007. You remember very well what’s happened in 2008, no? So I don’t think you really have to go through all the points. For sure, if the team really has the chance to win the championship I want the best for the team.
Felipe, have you had assurances from the team that you will be able to be allowed to continue fighting for victory? Have you spoken to them about that? It hasn’t affected your motivation?
Sure, for sure I’ve spoken to everybody inside the team. As I said, I’m not here really just to race, I’m here to win. That’s really my point. As long as I am in the condition to win, we need to go to the end, to fight for victory. As long as the condition is different then I definitely want the best for the team. I work for the team, I’m professional and I think everybody needs to understand my point.
Felipe, could we just establish the facts? Are you the number two driver now? And if not, what was the point in giving away the seven points to Fernando? I know you’re a great driver and a great competitor and a lot of us are very confused why you did what you did last weekend.
The time when I say I am number two driver I will not race any more. So I am not.
During the Silverstone weekend, Webber said ‘that if I thought I was in this condition maybe I wouldn’t re-sign… I wouldn’t renew the contract.’ Did you feel the same during these last few days, Felipe?
No. To be honest, all of you are trying to put words in my mouth. I have my thinking and will not really go through all these points, because it’s not the case.
Felipe, coming back here a year after your terrible accident, do you think that you’re going to feel a bit uneasy on the first couple of laps?
For sure not. It’s really nothing to do with my way of working. To be honest, I don’t remember a single thing from the accident. I don’t remember the corner. I saw it many times, but I don’t remember anything, so when you close the visor, you don’t think about these things, you just think about doing your best and working and achieving the maximum you can. So for sure, nothing of this thing has happened and I’m pretty sure that Rubens has a very, very strong spring on his car now.
Rubens Barrichello adds.....I promise you that he’s really like that. I don’t think he will fear anything. Three or four months ago we were playing poker back in Brazil and he just said ‘I have a surprise for you’ and he put the helmet in which he had the accident on the table and it destroyed my night, completely destroyed my night and I started losing money with the poker and he had fun with it, so I think he’s going to drive flat out without a… I’m driving for a different team, so you’re safe now, it’s OK.
;)
