Felipe Massa will meet staff at the hospital where he was taken following his qualifying crash in Hungary last year when he returns to the circuit for this weekend’s race.
Speaking before the Hungarian Grand Prix he said:
Budapest is a nice track in a nice country. But also coming back after what happened last year I’m definitely looking to achieve a good result. And to present myself to the people who were in the hospital when I arrived in a difficult condition to show how I am now.
So I’m thinking about a nice feeling but also a good result which is the most important thing after difficult race but also what happened last year.
Felipe Massa
Team principal Stefano Domenicali said he expects Massa’s first lap of the circuit since his fateful qualifying attempt to be an “intense moment”:
For sure, for Felipe in the Hungaroring it will be a very intense moment the first time he arrives, no doubt.
But I’m so happy that he’s with us, one year after, with the same car, with the same team, with the same will to win, and this is really the most important thing for him.
Stefano Domenicali
Looking ahead to the race, Fernando Alonso said driving a lap of the twisty Hungaroring was similar to driving a rally car:
At the Hungaroring you need a car that performs well in the slow speed corners, with good mechanical grip. There is some bounce in the circuit, you take a lot of kerb in the corners. So you need to drive a bit like a rally driving style all through the lap.
There is no time to breathe, it’s corner after corner, it’s like a small go-kart circuit for Formula 1. It’s very interesting. You need to remain very calm because this ‘overdrive’ style of driving that the Hungaroring requires is not the best thing.
So you need to concentrate and do a good lap, especially in qualifying because we know how difficult it will be overtaking in Hungary.
Fernando Alonso
You can hear the teams’ thoughts on the race in full in the video above.
2010 Hungarian Grand Prix
Tango
28th July 2010, 21:05
“So you need to concentrate and do a good lap, especially in qualifying because we know how difficult it will be overtaking in Hungary.”
Especially if you can’t overtake your team mate in Hockenheim
letgonow
28th July 2010, 21:20
Before this season I wasn’t much for Massa, but after Alonso’s constant whining and moaning this season, hell… I say go Massa, beat him at every race!
sato113
28th July 2010, 21:22
Domenicalli-
‘But I’m so happy that he’s with us, […] with the same will to win’
LOL! that’s if you let him!
GeeMac
29th July 2010, 6:08
That’s exactly what I was thinking…
David Smith
28th July 2010, 21:34
I reckon Alonso won’t get anywhere near Massa this weekend!!
Enigma (@enigma)
28th July 2010, 22:48
Just like Kubica in Montreal two years ago. He was incredibly fast all weekend.
Xanathos
28th July 2010, 21:34
“And to present myself to the people who were in the hospital when I arrived in a difficult condition to show how I am now.”
i think that’s a great gesture and aa extra motivation for the medical staff. F1 driver or not, it’s alway great to see what a difference your work can make when you are working in a hospital.
Carlos
28th July 2010, 21:39
Keith, I have a doubt: each driver can use just eight engines by season, right?
So, I’d like to know how many engines each driver has used so far?
Carlos
28th July 2010, 22:27
Sorry by off-topic but I think it’s interesting to know.
Steph90
29th July 2010, 9:11
Go to f1wolf.com and click on ‘2010 season’
Carlos
29th July 2010, 22:41
Thank you, Steph90! :D
SoLiDG (@solidg)
28th July 2010, 22:49
Would be nice to see Massa take victory this weekend.
Will not be an easy task tough.
xabregas
28th July 2010, 23:45
There is only 2 ways he can win:
1. Alonso out of the race
2. Get first place and have a Maclaren or RBR driver between him and Alonso.
Not a easy task, but it can happen
Daniel K
29th July 2010, 1:11
Do you think there is a possibility Ferrari might favor Felipe this race just to get in the end and shoot: “see?! No first and second drivers in our team!”.
Do you guys think it’s possible?
graigchq
29th July 2010, 8:24
lovely thought but…. no
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
29th July 2010, 2:59
What Massa did was good he will always have those memories at the back of his head, but I doubt that Ferrari will favour him ahead of Alonso at any cost.
But I pray he win if that is possible.
Adam Tate
29th July 2010, 5:57
This could be a historical GP. More people than ever will be rooting for one driver to win. From barely missing out on the 08 title, to nearly dying a year ago, to being screwed over by both his team and his team mate, I can think of no more deserving driver of the support he is sure to receive this week.
Ed
29th July 2010, 14:55
Hopefully Massa is in the right frame of mind and gets a strong result – the Ferrari should definitely be capable of winning here based on their Hockenheim and Monaco pace.
PT (@pt)
31st July 2010, 10:17
Massa struggled to get the right words in his mouth. I’ve heard him speak English more naturally. Could be nervousness, in doing a press conference for Ferrari. And Smedley isn’t around to calm him down and commend his “magnanimous” nature!