Ferrari’s Felipe Massa (pit) stops by Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Formula One fans were given a rare treat Tuesday night, September 17, when Scuderia Ferrari driver Felipe Massa made a pit stop in Manila.

He was at the Mall of Asia to meet fans and share how Ferrari’s partnership with Shell and their V-Power Nitro+ Gasoline helps him on the track. His visit was just days before the Singapore Grand Prix.

Said the 32-year-old, “I’m always delighted to meet our fans, but it’s even more exciting today because this is my first visit to the Philippines.”

After 8 years of driving with Ferrari, it was announced just last week that Massa will be leaving the company at the end of the Formula One season. “I’m very happy for my career,” he says. “It’s definitely much more than I expected when I was a kid. But I always want more; I always want to win more races and more championships. And I hope I can have that opportunity in the future.”

But, he points, out, “we still have 7 races to go, and the job that we’re doing together with Ferrari is always very good work. Between me, the team, and the partners, everyone wants to finish even better. But I think we did a fantastic job.”

Engine regulations

Aside from his departure, the 2014 season of Formula One will see the implementation of new engine regulations ratified by the World Motor Sport Council. The old 2.4 liter V8 engine will now be replaced with a 1.6 liter turbocharged V6 engine with an 8-speed semi-automatic gearbox. And because of this, says Massa, experience will play a crucial factor for all drivers.

“Next year, everything starts from zero. We have a big change in the rules, and a big change in the engine, the car will be a lot more electronic with all the systems. Aerodynamics will be a lot different, as well. For sure, it’s very important to have an experienced driver next year.” According to the Brazilian, if a driver can react quicker than the other team, “you will see the results in the track.”

Of course, the engine plays an important part, as well. And for that, Massa explains, constant developing is needed. “Everyday we’re working. Sometimes, people think it’s just driving the car for fun but it’s not like that. It’s about working everyday in the factory, together with Shell, and with all the engineers.”

He adds, “Everything we use on the road is because of this partnership. And I think that’s fantastic because we can have the same fuel as you’re racing in our car.”

According to Shell fuel specialist and scientist Mae Ascan, their “track to road” philosophy helps them develop premium fuels for both F1 and consumer vehicles. “We have a technical partnership with Ferrari wherein we use this as an environment to test our new premium fuels under extreme test conditions.”

Massa agrees: “What we have inside the car is the best. Everything we use is coming from big developments. To be honest, I don’t remember a race having a problem with the engine.”

When asked as a postscript if he really thinks his current Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso is really faster than him, Massa smiles as the crowd roars and simply says, “No.” – Rappler.com

Here’s a brief clip of Felipe Massa:

Peter Imbong is a full-time freelance writer, sometimes a stylist, and on some strange nights, a host. After starting his career in a business magazine, he now writes about lifestyle, entertainment, fashion, and profiles of different personalities. Check out his blog, Peter Tries to Write.