Williams driver Felipe Massa has described Ferrari’s practice pace “incredible” after Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen finished third and fourth fastest behind the Mercedes duo.
The Brazilian was particularly impressed by their long run pace.
“I saw Ferrari was doing incredibly laptimes in the long runs, so we need to open our eyes to them,” he said.
“But now we need to analyse where we are compared to the others and I think tomorrow we will be sure – especially after qualifying – exactly where we are.”
Mercedes are still some way ahead and remain the benchmark though, according to Massa, who failed to take part in second practice due to a water leak, though team-mate Valtteri Bottas was fifth quickest.
“Mercedes is out of the way,” he added. “Ferrari is much better and we are there in the fight, and maybe Red Bull didn’t show the same that we saw many times last year, but things can change for tomorrow.
“It was not many laps that I did. It’s never good to lose a session like that, so I hope we can still be in the fight for tomorrow and especially for the race.”
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