Felipe Massa: “In Germany we hope to have a normal race”

Tomorrow I will fly to Germany to start a very intense period of work, given that there will be two consecutive Grands Prix. It may seem strange for a driver, but the thing I want most is to have a normal race. If I think about everything that has happened to me in the last three races I find it hard to believe: in Montreal and Silverstone I was involved in collisions on the first lap which both times forced me to return to the pits immediately while in Valencia the safety car was entered the track at the wrong time and ruined my race.

In all three Grands Prix the performance on Friday and Saturday had shown that we had a competitive car but I was never able to bring home any points on Sunday. My goal for this weekend is therefore to have a problem-free weekend from start to finish. Of course, I wouldn't be a driver if I didn't think about the possibility of winning, even if I am aware that, at the moment, we are facing very strong competition: but if nothing strange happens on Sunday and we can thus do our race exploiting the potential then I will be satisfied because I am sure that, in this way, the results will also arrive.

It is true that nothing can be done to change one's luck, whether good or bad, but at least one can prepare scrupulously to face such a difficult period in the best way. Everyone in the factory worked tirelessly after the Silverstone race and I was in Maranello on two occasions to meet my engineers to find out all the details on the new developments of the F10 and, on Monday, to work on the simulator driving on the circuit of Hockenheim. I like this track and this year there will be the novelty of slick tyres, given that last year we raced at the Nuerburgring. The last time we were here, in 2008, I came third while the previous time, in 2006, I took second place behind Michael Schumacher. I regret not having had the chance to drive on the old track, with its very long straights that ran through the forest: the new version is the only one I know. I believe that its characteristics are congenial to our car and I therefore hope that we will be competitive. We are pushing hard on the development of the car and at Hockenheim we will have a new diffuser which will be evaluated in free practice on Friday. I'm sure others are doing the same but we have to stay focused on our work and not worry about it.

Between trips to Maranello and time dedicated to training, there hasn't been space for much else in these days following the British Grand Prix. Usually the car journey from Monaco to Maranello takes four hours, a little more if there is traffic: it can be pleasant, especially if you drive a Ferrari, but sometimes I prefer to take the plane and save some time . Here in Monaco it is very hot: the ideal climate for training outdoors and for spending time relaxing with my family: in the next ten days there won't be much space to do this, given that two crucial races await us for the outcome of this championship.