FW37 sets new benchmark with half-a-second to spare; "When we needed to do a lap time the lap time was good," says Felipe
Monday 16 March 2015 14:24, UK
Felipe Massa believes Williams have proved they are in the fight at the front of the F1 grid after setting the fastest lap of the Barcelona tests so far.
The Brazilian’s lap of 1:23.500, delivered on soft tyres, was half a second faster than last week’s benchmark, produced by the Lotus of Romain Grosjean when the E23 was shod with a set of supersofts.
Having stayed beneath the radar throughout winter testing so far, Massa says it was important for Williams, who finished third in last year's Constructors' Championship, to deliver clear proof of their potential to challenge Mercedes.
“The car behaved well and when we needed to do a lap time the lap time was good,” Massa told Sky Sports News HQ.
“I think we needed to prove that we are there in the fight, we don’t know how much with Mercedes, but to the others I think we are there.”
Massa also completed over 100 laps in the FW37 on day which saw both longevity and lightening pace from the team’s new car.
“The consistency is something we have been working a lot on to improve, I am pretty happy, but it is still early. It is too early to be sure and when everyone is on the same fuel and the same tyres at the same time is when we will be sure where we are.”
The former Ferrari driver later told reporters: “On the set up we have been trying the tyres and changing some things on the car and I think it was positive. It was a good day for us and the lap time was good, but we are still not sure where we are in comparison to Mercedes – I am sure they have a good car like they showed throughout 2014 – but I think we are there.
“However, things change very quickly in this world and when we get to the first race maybe we are not where we expected. But until now we have been doing a good job and are preparing the car in the best way we can.”
