Massa: Ferrari competitive but not the strongest

Although Felipe Massa says his Ferrari 10 is a competitive car, the Brazilian has denied that it is the strongest in the field.

After dominating the timesheets in the opening pre-season test in Valencia, Ferrari failed to set the pace in the remaining three events. But despite this, the Scuderia were still given top billing by some in the paddock, who felt their long distance pace set them apart from their rivals.

And although Massa agrees that his F10 will be competitive when the teams head to Bahrain later this month, the 2008 Championship runner-up insists it is not the best in the field.

"We did what we had planned to do at the beginning of this month of testing: we're very happy with the work done," Massa said after Sunday's final day at Barcelona

"We wanted a competitive car and I think we've achieved our goal. We've reached a good level of reliability, which is very important.

"It's difficult to say who worked best. Today the timesheet says (Lewis) Hamilton, but we're all very close together, it's just tenths of a second.

"I am very satisfied with the car, when we simulated the qualifying and when we drove with lots of fuel on board. I think that we're part of the group, who did well in these tests, something you could see on this last day of testing, when many simulated the qualifying.

"I don't agree at all with those who say we're the strongest: I think we're there, together with some other teams. I can't say that we're going to Bahrain to win, but I know that we'll fight for it.

"We had several aerodynamic updates here, which improved the car's performance. We now have to continue working in this direction. It's important to be ahead at the end of the year, not now.

"The same thing is true regarding the car: I was lucky to be able to drive several very strong Ferrari single-seaters and if the F10 is the best I've ever driven I'll only know after the race in Abu Dhabi!"

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