Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has admitted to being “satisfied” with Felipe Massa’s performance at the opening race of the season.
The Brazilian driver has struggled in recent years, failing to score a podium in 38 consecutive races up until the final few races of 2012 when he finished second in Japan and third in Brazil.
That late upturn provided some hope that he had rediscovered his form, and Montezemolo sounded pleased with the positive start to 2013.
“I’m satisfied with Felipe Massa’s performance – he was very fast in qualifying and delivered a brilliant race,” he said.
“It was important to start the season well as that hadn’t happened in the last two years.”
Massa gave a better assessment of his form.
“10 times better,” he said of his start to 2013 compared to last year.
“The way I started the last season last year is impossible to compare to the way I’ve started the season now. I feel much better in the car.”
