Fernando Alonso laughs off Felipe Massa's qualifying edge | FerrariChat

Fernando Alonso laughs off Felipe Massa's qualifying edge

Discussion in 'F1' started by freshmeat, Apr 11, 2013.

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  1. freshmeat

    freshmeat F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2011
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    From Autosport:
    Fernando Alonso has laughed off suggestions that Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa has the upper hand in qualifying now.

    The Spanish driver has not qualified ahead of the Brazilian since last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and if Massa manages the feat again this weekend in China it would be the first time Alonso has been outqualified five times in a row in Formula 1.

    Alonso conceded Massa was back at his best now, but made it clear he was far from worried about the situation.

    "I haven't slept since Australia. I'm only eating white rice. I'm losing my hair. A huge drama," joked Alonso when asked about his qualifying defeats in a press conference with Spanish reporters.

    "After 200 races, it's very surprising that two qualifying sessions matter so much. I'm pleased that it's so important, because it means that when I finish ahead of him it will mean I have done an stratospheric lap.

    "We'll see if I can pull that magic here or later this year..."

    Alonso added: "He's doing a fantastic job. It's true that for these calculations you are using strange numbers, with races from last year, races from this year.

    "In Australia qualifying was with dry tyres on a wet track, in Malaysia we qualified with inters on a dry track, so I don't think they were completely normal tracks."

    The two-time champion, who retired from the Malaysian Grand Prix after contact with Sebastian Vettel at the start, believes qualifying strongly has become less important since Pirelli returned to F1.

    "Qualifying this year is less important. It has been losing importance year after year," Alonso said.

    "There were years when it was vital to start from the first row or from pole position, but since Pirelli arrived qualifying has become less and less important.

    "In the first two races of the season Kimi [Raikkonen] won pretty easily in Australia starting from seventh and anyone could have won in Malaysia. But there is a tendency for qualifying to become less important."
     
  2. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    Love his reponses hahah
     
  3. rmani

    rmani F1 Veteran
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    his responses are good, and massa has certainly upped his game once again, but i disagree qualifying is less important. there's a reason red bull is so far ahead of everyone else their cars always qualify well.
     
  4. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    theyre not really "so far ahead of everyone else" though
     
  5. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

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    ;)
     
  6. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    Excuses and nonsense. It would have sufficed to recognize Massa's revival and to vow to raise his own level.
     
  7. trumpet77

    trumpet77 Formula 3

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    "anyone could have won" in the last race? I guess a two time champion can say that when he's crashed out!
     
  8. DF1

    DF1 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Ferrari's Q last year was an average of 6+. Race pace is nice but not being up front has cost them. Q still matters and Ferrari were in the press this week stating they are working to improve 1 lap pace. So much for FA laughing it off. Its costing them points and wins. Period.
     
  9. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    They qualified 2nd and 3rd the last race, it's not like they are on the 3rd row or worse like last year.
     
  10. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    :rolleyes:

    All he's saying is we haven't seen the true pecking order yet on a dry course.
     
  11. SlvSurfer

    SlvSurfer Formula Junior

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    Being overly confident is a bad sign.
     
  12. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Alonso added: "He's doing a fantastic job."

    ^^^
    I thought he did :confused:

    It's just media fluff to fill the rags
     
  13. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Yep, they're doing "ok" ...................so far
     
  14. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

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    His reaction was probably similar to mine - bemusement that anyone (especially a journalist) would be so desperate to create some drama during the break that they would suggest Alonso ought to be nervous about Massa somehow.

    I hope his responses were loaded with condescending sarcasm in tone
     
  15. kylec

    kylec F1 Rookie
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    Exactly. What's he supposed to say.
    "Yeah, so far he's been on point and has outperformed me..."???
     
  16. furoni

    furoni F1 World Champ

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    If it keeps going like this he won´t be laughing any more.....
     
  17. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 tifosi12, Apr 12, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  18. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Massa is doing a great job right now, setting up the season for a proper Ferrari attack rather than the Lone Ranger (FA) doing all the running on his own .... Enzo would be loving this :)
     
  19. furoni

    furoni F1 World Champ

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    i sure will;)
     
  20. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    Exactly.
     
  21. jkddad

    jkddad Formula 3
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    Dont get me started about journalists, I've been exposed to a few having worked in the media industry, and many of them have an unhealthy arrogrance about them. I know a healthy amount is needed to get a story of significance, but there is a common level to being a descent person that many of them have no problem crossing for trivial items.

    Lets go team Ferrari !!!
     
  22. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 tifosi12, Apr 13, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  23. sindo308qv

    sindo308qv F1 Rookie

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    Well, Alonso finishes 40 seconds ahead of Massa. I quess that settles it.
     
  24. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Don't forget the Massa supporters:

     

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