By FIA
August 19 2005

Felipe Massa answers questions about the new circuit in Istanbul, Turkey and his move to Ferrari next season to partner Michael Schumacher.

To all of you, what are your first impressions of Turkey and the circuit?

Felipe Massa: Yeah, me too. I took his (Liuzzi's) bike after, and I was really impressed. I think it is a very complete circuit, you can find everything, quick corners, slow corners, change of directions, heavy brakes and everything. I think we can see some overtaking in the race, so I think it is a fantastic circuit, just looking like that. Tomorrow we will have some better idea, but I was really impressed and I think they did a really good job.

Questions From The Floor:

(Livio Orrichio - O Estado do Sao Paulo) Felipe, what did you feel when you signed the contract with the Ferrari team, the dream of most drivers, the importance it is to Brazil? And then the press department of Ferrari does not permit you to talk to the Brazilian press, except to TV Globo? Do you not think it is missing the respect of the Brazilian press and the Brazilian people?

FM: First of all, I feel great to be a Brazilian and to have this opportunity to be in a top team. For Brazil it is fantastic. We are not having an easy time in Brazil, everybody knows that. Brazil is coming up to a bad moment in terms of politics. I think that for me it's fantastic. I'm Brazilian, I'm young, I'm going to a fantastic team and hopefully me and Rubens will be doing a good job for the Brazilian people to give them some happiness. So this is really great for me. We announced that I am going to be with Ferrari and I was on holidays. I still have six more races to do with Sauber. It's fantastic to be in Sauber. I think I have to say thank you to Peter for these years. I am still focussed on my year. I'm talking now about Ferrari but I want to concentrate on my next six races. As I said, I'm Brazilian, I love my country, everything I will do for my country I will do.

(Dan Knutson - National Speedsport News) It is a big challenge to be Michael's team-mate: 1) because he's fast, 2) because there's either the real or the perceived notion that Michael gets preferential treatment and that you sometimes have to defer to him. So first of all, Rubens, what advice do you give to Felipe on how to cope with being Michael's teammate, and Felipe, how will you face up to that challenge?

Rubens Barrichello: The only thing I told Felipe was not to use the toilet on the top because I had bad times there, so just be careful there. The rest is for him to enjoy his time. He is going to have a tough time, absolutely, but if I was in his position, younger, eager to win, I probably would have done the same. I'm proud to say now that the team is different to the one when I came to Ferrari in 2000. It is much broader in its thoughts, and thinking much more of both drivers so I think Felipe will have an advantage compared to myself if you look back to 2000. But the rest is up to him to show his speed. Speed is much better than words.

FM: One thing I have to say is that I am still young. When you have a competitive car, and when you have the opportunity to go to Ferrari it is fantastic for a young guy, so I feel ready. I have some good experience in Formula One already and now is the time to take the opportunity to show what I can do. Going to Ferrari is always an incredible opportunity.

(Andrea Cremonesi - Gazzetta dello Sport) Rubens and Felipe, is there any chance that you split to BAR before the end of the season, and Felipe, what kind of Ferrari do you expect to find next week in Monza?

FM: It is always difficult to say how it's going to be before you test the car. I saw Ferrari was much more competitive in the last race than in the previous races and I think they are working in a good direction to improve. But it's difficult to say before you test the car. After the test I can say something.

After the holidays and vacation, are you eager to drive again?

FM: I think after some time to cool down it is time to come back and do everything we can. I still have six races with Sauber and I want to do my best to have a good result for Sauber and I want to come back to the car as quickly as I could because it was time enough for me to cool down.

(Andrea Cremonesi - Gazzetta dello Sport) Felipe, you have the same contract as Rubens now? You will be there the second driver for a while?

FM: This is not written in my contract.

RB: In mine, too. (Laughter)

(Heinz Pruller - ORF) Felipe, which engine do you drive in the Ferrari at Monza?

FM: 10 cylinder.

(David Kennedy - Settanta TV) Felipe, you have heard Rubens say that speed talks louder than words. How do you think you will compare in terms of speed against Michael Schumacher?

FM: I think this is the best comparison a driver can have. Michael is still, as seven times World Champion, he is still the example of every driver. If you can have this possibility to compare your speed with him, I think it's the best comparison you can have.

Will you be quicker or slower?

FM: I hope I can be quicker. I will do everything I can to be quicker, for sure.

(Luc Rey) Felipe, when Rubens came into Formula One he was described as the next World Champion and he did not become World Champion, probably because he spent a lot of time with Michael Schumacher. It's very difficult to beat Michael. So don't you think that you could burn your career going to Ferrari with Michael? I know it's a good opportunity but don't you think you will burn your career?

FM: First of all, Rubens has not quit Formula One yet so maybe he still has a chance to be World Champion and I'm sure he had a good time at Ferrari. So as I said, I'm young, I am ready for the challenge, so I'm ready to try everything I can to have a competitive car. Fernando had his chance to go to a good team and show what he could do, Kimi as well, so I want to do the same.