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Massa confident F150 and Pirelli tyres will solve problems

ESPNF1 Staff
January 28, 2011 « Montezemolo pushing FIA to scrap four-cylinder plan | »
Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso unveiled the new F150 on Friday © Ferrari
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Felipe Massa is confident he will be back on form in the new Ferrari F150 and that the 2011 Pirelli tyres will be more to his liking.

Massa struggled throughout last season compared to team-mate Fernando Alonso and blamed the narrower Bridgestone front tyres for his drop in performance. Although the Pirelli tyres have been designed to the same regulations as the 2010 tyres, he is confident the tweaks that have been made will offer a better balance for his driving style.

"Many things have changed," he said. "I want to be more competitive from the first to the last race this year and I think that also the Pirelli tyres will help me here.

"Last year Bridgestone changed the front tyres a lot compared to 2009. This led to lots of understeer. The tyres were much harder and difficult to bring up to the right temperature. I tried to modify the front tyres, but then the rear tyres didn't work as they should have, so it was a real fight. This year Pirelli should have prepared much stronger front tyres, for more grip. This is much better for my driving style.

When asked if he was concerned about a repeat of the "unpleasant episodes" during his 2010 season, Massa said: "I'm racing in a team where I want to win. I trust the team 100% that they give me the perfect car to compete for victory."

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