Massa blog - Waiting for Monza
Life could not be much better than going to Monza for the
Italian Grand Prix, driving for Ferrari, having won the last
Grand Prix!
Turkey was an amazing weekend for me. It was a great feeling
and a great moment for me and my career. Istanbul is not an
easy track, very technical, so driving it is not so easy and
difficult also in terms of the physical effort involved. Fantastic,
to start from pole and win the race was an amazing way to
win your first race and then there was the podium: on one
side Fernando Alonso and on the other Michael Schumacher.
This was the best way to end my first win. Coming to Monza
with this win under my belt is very special. This weekend
will be another very important race, especially as a Ferrari
driver.
One of the best things about Turkey was that both my father
and mother were there together, which does not happen so often.
My father comes maybe eight times a year, but my mother not
so often. It was great for them and they were very proud of
me.
In Istanbul I was on the pace and quick right from the start
of the weekend. Everything came together: the relationship
with my engineers and the other people within the team has
been improving all year and we were able to show our true
potential. Step by step I am growing as a driver. If you look
at the last five races, I was always in the top three at the
start and almost every race finished on the podium, including
four out of the last five. From the mid-point of the championship
to now, things have changed quite a lot for me, as I get more
comfortable with the team.
Last week we had a very encouraging test at Monza. The package
we have especially for this race was really working well in
terms of efficiency and downforce and our lap times were consistently
quick. I think we are going to be very strong in the race.
After the test, I went down to southern Italy to a town called
Cerignola. It is the town where my family came from before
moving to Brazil. I think now, there might still be the sister
of my great-grandfather living there, but that's all. I had
already been there to visit a couple of years ago and now,
after my win in Turkey, they decided to give me the freedom
of the city. It was a wonderful honour for me and thousands
of local people turned out in the square for the ceremony.
Coming there as a winning Ferrari driver was something that
surprised the locals I think. Now I hope I also get a big
welcome from all the tifosi when I get to Monza on Thursday.
I can't wait. It's going to be a really exciting weekend.
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