- Jerez Test - Day Three
Massa feels multiple improvements in FW37
Felipe Massa says Williams is paying little attention to its engine at this stage of winter testing and thinks big gains have been made on the aerodynamic side with the FW37.
Massa got his first taste of 2015 F1 on Tuesday, completing a solid 71 laps in Jerez. Williams finished last season as the closest contender to the factory Mercedes outfit but has done little to trouble the headline times so far in testing, though that has little significance at this stage.
The Brazilian is happy with his first day in the car and says it's clear a step forward has been achieved.
"It was a good start, a good feeling on the car," Massa said. "I think so many things we have improved to how we finished last season. I'm really confident that some areas of this car are already more intelligent and a better set-up to how we worked on last year's car."
Massa finished the day fourth but he says Williams is not running with the settings turned up at this stage as the chassis is the main focus.
"With the engine, we're still not running what we are supposed to have at the moment. The engine is not the main point until now because we are not running what I hope we will run [in Melbourne].I think the car is more stable than last year and easier to drive, which is positive. I'm talking about the chassis, the stability, this type of development.
"Braking is no problem at all, it's stable. Stability on the entry to the corner is good. Even the traction, what I felt, is a little bit easier and a little bit better. I didn't check compared to the other car but we should improve the top speed anyway."
He also says he felt an improvement in the way the rear end worked, an issue the FW37's predecessor struggled with.
"That is what I feel better about how we finished the season. That's the most important point I felt today, not just me but Valtteri today and yesterday. It's the first point to trying to have an easier car and a better car in this situation.
"We didn't drive a lot today. We missed time today because of the weather and then it was OK in the afternoon. We still have another day and I hope tomorrow we can do everything we can to do more mileage and prepare even better for the next test in Barcelona. It's just the beginning but things are going well."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
