Luca di Montezemolo has spoken out to re-affirm
Ferrari's faith in Felipe Massa – despite the Brazilian's error-strewn and distinctly underwhelming start to the 2008 campaign.
Massa committed a number of mistakes in the season-opener in Melbourne, spinning on the opening lap before coming together with
Red Bull Racing's
David Coulthard as he attempted to fight his way back up the order again later in the race. He then went and spun out of second place a week later in Malaysia, dashing Maranello's hopes of a one-two to erase the memories of the squad's Australian nightmare.
Di Montezemolo, however, insisted the 26-year-old was under no pressure to keep his seat, despite persistent rumours that
Fernando Alonso is as good as a shoe-in at the
Scuderia for 2009.
“
Felipe Massa's future is absolutely not under discussion,” Italian newspaper
Gazzetta dello Sport quoted the Ferrari president as having told FIAT shareholders during a meeting. “Indeed, at Ferrari we have the best two drivers in the world.
“I'm expecting a great race from Felipe in Bahrain, after his excellent qualifying in Malaysia. I'm convinced that we have an exceptional team and a competitive car.
“There will be an intense battle [in 2008] because the greatest car manufacturers in the world are embroiled in it. I'm very confident, though, especially because I know we have a good programme of development for the car.”
Technical director Aldo Costa, meanwhile, explained that Ferrari would be running a number of new aerodynamic components on its F2008 in Sakhir, and that the plan was to continue to improve the package step-by-step as the season progresses.
