Felipe Massa

The emergence of the Formula One Teams’ Association has thrust Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo to the forefront of the debates over the future shape of the grand prix racing.

Just before Christmas, he called for Bernie Ecclestone to redistribute more of F1’s revenue to the teams, and received a blunt response from Ecclestone highlighting how much extra finance Ferrari already receive – but there was no sign of bad blood when Ecclestone put in a surprise appearance at Ferrari’s annual Madonna di Campiglio ski camp in Italy this week.

Later in the event, di Montezemolo addressed the media and spoke about Ecclestone’s criticisms for the first time, as well as sharing his thoughts on F1’s future, Ron Dennis’s decision to step down as McLaren team principal, and addressing the Fernando Alonso question once again…

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Ferrari have decided to switch the first fully-fledged test of their new F60 from Portimao in Portugal to their Mugello test track in Italy next week.

The Maranello-based team had been scheduled to join most other teams in running at the new Algarve circuit, but a team spokesman has confirmed that poor weather forecasts for Portugal have forced a change of plan.

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Felipe Massa spoke briefly to the media during the launch of Ferrari’s new F60 at Mugello in Italy on Monday. However, his first proper scheduled appearance in front of the international press since the season-closing Brazilian Grand Prix took place today at Ferrari’s annual Madonna di Campiglio ski camp.

Looking relaxed, and clearly full of confidence after his strong 2008 campaign, Massa spoke at length about his development as a driver, his thoughts for the season and what difference KERS is going to make to the racing.

Q. Which will be the most difficult technology to adapt to this year – slicks, aero or KERS?

Felipe Massa: Well, I think the biggest change is the aerodynamic. It makes the car completely different in terms of driving. The KERS is something you need to understand, you just press the button and get some power – and slicks just give more grip. So for the driver, when you put grip on the car, it is always easier. But when you take it away, the grip is a little bit more difficult to learn and to get used to. So, I think it is more the aerodynamics.

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Ferrari say they have no concerns about rivalry between Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen boiling over to damage their hopes of fighting for the world championship this season.

Raikkonen is determined to make amends for his disappointing 2008 campaign this year, having upped his training over the winter and lost some weight, and that could make for an intense time alongside the ever-improving Massa.

With fresh memories of the way Massa lost out on the world title last year by just one point, there is a clear risk of two fully competitive drivers taking points off each other.

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