Malaysian Grand Prix – Sepang, 17th March 2006
Free practice - First session
Michael Schumacher: 6th 1.37.043 4 laps chassis
253
Felipe Massa: 7th 1.37.557 18 laps chassis
252
Temperatures: air 31/32 °C, track 37/39 °C
Free practice – Second session
Felipe Massa: 4th 1.35.924 22 laps chassis
252
Michael Schumacher: 7th 1.36.617 17 laps
chassis 253
Temperatures: air 34 °C, track 42/43 °C
Jean Todt: “I am happy to be here
in Malaysia, a country which in recent years I have really
learnt to love and that I find fascinating. As usual, Friday
is mainly for comparing the two kinds
of Bridgestone tyres we have available. Today this work was
done mainly by Felipe, because,
unfortunately, he had to fit a fresh engine on his car. The
track results seem to have confirmed
the considerable potential that was shown by the cars and
the Bridgestone tyres in Bahrain
and during the winter testing. We’re competitive in
race trim and we count on looking good in
qualifying tomorrow as well in that I think that, as on the
Sakhir circuit last week, it’s going to be
a close battle for pole. As usual here in Malaysia the weather
conditions are tough for the cars,
the drivers and for the people working in the pits.”
Michael Schumacher: “In general we’re
pleased with the way things went during free practice.
Towards the end of the session we managed to improve the balance
of the car. As far as times
are concerned, apart from what the third drivers do, who do
a different job compared to the
others, I think that the situation is quite clear. I could
have been a bit quicker with my new tyres
when I went out on my first run, but I lost a lot of time
in a corner of the third sector. The
consistency of the Bridgestone tyres looks pretty good, which
of course is very important. The
actual time recorded is of less importance at this stage because
the times improve as the
weekend progresses. I reckon that we’re competitive
and that, like in Bahrain, here in Malaysia
we can fight for pole position and for a win on Sunday.”
Felipe Massa: “I think it went very
well. We worked for the race by doing quite a few long runs.
The car went well both with used and new tyres and I am very
pleased with our race pace. In
my opinion we have a good car for the race. Qualifying will
of course be a bit difficult for me
because I have to pay the price for the engine change, but
considering the pace we had during
the long run, I think we’re in good shape for a good
result on Sunday.”
Ross Brawn: “I’d say that it
was a good day during which we made a really extensive
assessment of the two Bridgestone tyres we had available.
The overall balance of the 248F1
is very good. There are a couple of details we need to sort
out but we’ve got plenty of time to
do it. The drivers were quite happy with the cars that looked
very consistent.”
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