Ferrari overhaul McLaren on final day at German track

Under-pressure Felipe Massa restored confidence at Ferrari by setting the pace on the third and final day of testing at the Hockenheim ring (which sounds like some disgusting German sausage, but isn’t).

Massa was the only driver to dip under the 1:15.00 mark yesterday. After completing 109 trouble-free laps, the Brazilian claimed he was happy with the team’s progress:

“It was a good day’s work… We did a lot of kilometres and I have to say the car felt well balanced. This can only mean we should also be competitive at this track, which is also the case for our main rivals.”

Honda will be encouraged by Jenson Button’s performance. The British driver was second-fastest, with Heikki Kovalainen in third for McLaren.

Full timesheet below:

Halfway through the 2008 season, Grid Crasher rates each F1 team, starting with the inappropriately named Force India

FORCE INDIA
Drivers Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) & Adrian Sutil (Germany)
Championship points 0

Read our verdict on Force India below:

McLaren quickest on day two, Force India star wrecks car

Heikki Kovalainen set the quickest time during the second day of testing at Silverstone. McLaren’s Finnish driver completed 72 laps, setting a best lap of 1:20.015, which beat Felipe Massa’s Tuesday time by 0.173secs.

Massa struggled in windy conditions, and could only manage seventh fastest out of the 10 drivers during a day in which there were several incidents. Giancarlo Fisichella was caught out at Becketts, one of the fastest corners of the circuit, and went into the barriers at high speed. His VJM01 suffered major damage and could not be repaired in time to run again. Fisi escaped serious injury in the accident, although he did keep his hands on the wheel and was taken to hospital for precautionary checks on his wrist.

Full timesheet below:

Grid Crasher decodes pre-race quotes from the key drivers

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
“I think that things will look really different at Magny-Cours, compared to the last GPs. The smooth surface of the French track, its demanding corners and the quick changes of direction will underline the characteristics of the F2008.It was here in France last year that my season practically started all over again; and this is what I need now, after the two races with no points. I like this track and I think that it’s perfect for our car. I think we’ll be competitive and that we can go for the maximum result.”
What he really means: “Not even Lewis is going to stop me winning this time.”

Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
“I hope we will be very competitive this weekend. I like Magny-Cours: I came second here last year, having started from pole, but then I lost a bit of time in traffic and I also came third in 2006. It’s a good track for me. Let’s hope we can repeat last year’s one-two finish, but maybe in a different order!”
What he really means: “I hope Ferrari lets me compete with Kimi on even ground.”

Grid Crasher looks at the big-name drivers yet to score in 2008

1. Nelson Piquet Jnr (Renault)

No points in five races is a tight spot to be in, especially when your team-mate is Fernando Alonso and your car is crap. Piquet Jnr looks the part and he has an impeccable pedigree, but his father’s name is not going to help him drive any faster. Alonso has massively outperformed the rookie Brazilian so far this season, and that’s not about to change. Renault is starting to think seriously about replacing its second-string driver. Its sporting manager, Steve Nielsen, said of Piquet: “He needs to start having more good bits than the bad bits, and he needs to start doing that as soon as he can.”

Verdict: More half Nelson than full Nelson. Won’t last the season.