13/08/2011
NEWS STORY
Even though he's meant to be on holiday, Felipe Massa could not pass up the chance to get back behind the wheel back home in Brazil.
On Friday, the Ferrari driver was a surprise participant in free practice for the fourth round of this season's Trofeo Linea, a Touring Car series which runs as part of the Racing Festival, now one of the most important events on the Brazilian motor racing scene.
"I had a lot of fun today," said Massa. "It's been ten years since I last drove a Touring Car, dating back to 2001 when I raced an Alfa Romeo 155, so I thought I might struggle a bit, so sixth best time in the second session is not that bad. I could have been quicker but I hit the chicane when I went out on new tyres, which damaged the front suspension, so the steering felt very heavy. I have to say the Trofeo Linea is very interesting to drive: it's stable and the sequential change works very well. This sort of racing could definitely be an option when the day comes that I decide to leave Formula 1."
Massa set the second fastest time of 1.54.929 in the morning session and the sixth (1.54.641) in the afternoon, less than eight tenths off the fastest time overall, a 1.53.888, set by his great friend Caca Bueno.