Felipe Massa's British GP preview

By James Disdale

08th July 2011

Ferrari Formula One star Felipe Massa won’t be looking to the past as he prepares for this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

While the Italian squad will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of its first ever F1 win, when Jose Froilan Gonzalez triumphed at Silverstone in 1951, the Brazilian will have his eyes firmly on the future.

“It’s nice to think of the history,” explained the 30-year-old . “But once you are in the car you are concentrating on the race and doing the best you can.”

This is set to be a crucial weekend for the prancing horse, as it attempts to put a stop to the winning ways of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel. The outfit has developed a host of new parts for its 150 Italia racer, but Massa still thinks it will be tough to catch the German ace.

“Sebastian needs to make a lot of mistakes to lose the championship,” he said. “But we will never give up. We have been working hard in the simulator and wind tunnel to make improvements, and in the last four races the car has felt better.”

Win or lose, Massa is determined to enjoy the British grand prix, as the Silverstone circuit is one of his favourites. “It’s a great track and one of the most famous races on the calendar,” he enthused. “There are lot of quick corners, while the new paddock complex looks very good.”

The 2008 championship runner-up was also keen to quash rumours that his position at Ferrari is under threat. “Ever since my first year at Ferrari in 2006 people have said I’m going to be replaced,” he explained. “I will be driving a Ferrari next year because I still have another year on my contract. I’m just going to concentrate on my job and doing the best I can. I still believe I can win races and become world champion in the future.”