Schumacher Strong In Hockenheim Free Practice

By Dale Calkins
July 28 2006

Ferrari began their German Grand Prix weekend strongly today with Schumacher 2nd and Massa 5th in Free Practice 2. Coming off of two wins in a row, Ferrari is intent on continuing their winning ways and closing in on Renault. This is certainly a good start for the Scuderia at Hockenheim.

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Ferrari Strong In Hockenheim Free Practice
Michael Schumacher FP 1: No Time FP 2: 2nd - 1'16.502 Michael Schumacher started his German Grand Prix weekend strongly today as he set the 2nd fastest time in the second Free Practice session, only about 3 tenths of a second slower than BMW test driver Robert Kubica. Schumacher did not run in the first session to conserve his engine. This is what Schumacher had to say about his practice sessions for his home Grand prix: "At the moment, the situation seems pretty good, but we have to bear in mind that other teams have carried out difference work programmes in terms of tyres today, which also explains the difference in the times. The weather reduced the track time at our disposal. Now we must study the data gathered carefully to get a realistic idea of the pecking order, but I think we have not yet seen the true potential of some of the teams." Felipe Massa FP 1: No Time FP 2: 5th - 1'17.205 Felipe Massa, like Schumacher, also started his race weekend strongly by taking 5th in Free Practice 2. Also like Schumacher, Massa did not run in the first session in Germany. Massa had this to say after his first day at Hockenheim: "It was a good day. Even though we did not run much, I immediately felt the car was well balanced and the Bridgestone tyres worked well. Therefore, I am happy with what we achieved today, while knowing we still have a lot to do. All in all, we can say we have started this race weekend a bit better than on some other occasions and so I am feeling optimistic." Ross Brawn Technical Director Ferrari Technical Director Ross Brawn, was pleased with today's running and looks forward to a competitive weekend: "The weather shortened the time available to us in the second hour of free practice which is why we only have a snapshot of the situation rather than a full picture. All the same, initial indications seem good. Obviously, the track is still very dirty and there’s not much grip, but that will change over the weekend. The car is well balanced and quite quick. In conclusion, a pretty good first day."
	July 29, 2006

Ferrari Strong
In Hockenheim
Free Practice

Michael Schumacher
FP 1: No Time
FP 2: 2nd - 1'16.502

Michael Schumacher started his German Grand Prix weekend strongly today as he set the 2nd fastest time in the second Free Practice session, only about 3 tenths of a second slower than BMW test driver Robert Kubica. Schumacher did not run in the first session to conserve his engine. This is what Schumacher had to say about his practice sessions for his home Grand prix:

"At the moment, the situation seems pretty good, but we have to bear in mind that other teams have carried out difference work programmes in terms of tyres today, which also explains the difference in the times. The weather reduced the track time at our disposal. Now we must study the data gathered carefully to get a realistic idea of the pecking order, but I think we have not yet seen the true potential of some of the teams."

Felipe Massa
FP 1: No Time
FP 2: 5th - 1'17.205

Felipe Massa, like Schumacher, also started his race weekend strongly by taking 5th in Free Practice 2. Also like Schumacher, Massa did not run in the first session in Germany. Massa had this to say after his first day at Hockenheim:

"It was a good day. Even though we did not run much, I immediately felt the car was well balanced and the Bridgestone tyres worked well. Therefore, I am happy with what we achieved today, while knowing we still have a lot to do. All in all, we can say we have started this race weekend a bit better than on some other occasions and so I am feeling optimistic."

Ross Brawn
Technical Director

Ferrari Technical Director Ross Brawn, was pleased with today's running and looks forward to a competitive weekend:

"The weather shortened the time available to us in the second hour of free practice which is why we only have a snapshot of the situation rather than a full picture. All the same, initial indications seem good. Obviously, the track is still very dirty and there’s not much grip, but that will change over the weekend. The car is well balanced and quite quick. In conclusion, a pretty good first day."

July 29, 2006