Stefano Domenicali expects Felipe Massa to shine for the rest of the season after his improved performance in Monaco.
In all the previous races Massa had endured a wretched campaign, picking up just two points from the first five grands prix.
After failing miserably to break into the top 10 in qualifying, at one stage Massa appeared poised to line up on the grid ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso.
The Brazilian ultimately started seventh, two places behind the championship-leading Spaniard who finished third, with Massa three seconds adrift in sixth. This was a huge improvement in performance by Massa, who will now need to continue building if he is to have any hope of retaining his seat for next year. For now, Domenicali is happy enough as he said:
“I think he had a great weekend, a weekend he deserved after coming under a lot pressure.
He had a great qualifying, and although you can say he could have been a little better in Q3, we need to look at the bigger picture. He also then had a great race. He was a little unlucky because he could have been out in front of Lewis for a fraction, but he was there in the first six cars which were very close.
The fact he was there is for me the best thing. I’m sure this this will be a turning point of his season because he needs it.”
With Ferrari 60 points adrift of Red Bull in the constructors’ championship, and 22 behind McLaren, Domenicali needs Massa to continue to produce strong results if they are to have any hope of landing the team title.
Domenicali added: “It was a great boost for him because at the end of the day everyone is unhappy when he is performing in a difficult moment. Him performing is something we need for the constructors’ championship, for the team, so I am really expecting a good Felipe up to the end.”
Source: Dailymail.co.uk, Image: Ferrari
