Massa calls on Ferrari not to favour Alonso

Felipe Massa has repeated his desire for equal number one status alongside Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso in 2011.

While Alonso pushed for the title in his first season with the famous team, incumbent Massa struggled notably last year.

But he is reportedly much happier with the new Pirelli tyres, showing well at recent test sessions with Ferrari’s newly renamed F150th Italia.

However, it was Massa who was ordered aside for Alonso at Hockenheim last year, triggering the FIA’s controversial decision to legalised team orders in 2011 and beyond.

But Massa said being Ferrari’s permanent number two is not in his plans.

“Choosing a number one driver too soon reduces the (team’s) chances to win the championship from two to one,” he told La Stampa newspaper in Italy.

Massa has previously blamed Bridgestone for his 2010 struggles, but in the interview he said he takes “full responsibility” for his performance last year.

“As to my capacities, I know how to win — races and also the championship,” said the 29-year-old, who came tantalisingly close to beating Lewis Hamilton to the crown in 2008.

And as for the new Pirellis, Massa insists: “Compared to the Bridgestones, they are working better for me. They are as I like them.”

Source: YallaF1

Horner: Red Bull will not back one driver

Christian Horner is adamant Red Bull will not favour one driver in the race for the World title despite concerns that the rivalry could hurt their chances

With just three races remaining in this year's Championship, Red Bull are leading the Drivers' standings with Mark Webber on 220 points.

However, his team-mate Sebastian Vettel is also in the hunt, 14 points off the pace. Momentum, though, is with the German, who has taken points off his Australian team-mate is the last three races.

And with Vettel coming to the fore, Red Bull are adamant they will not force the 23-year-old to play second fiddle to Webber despite concerns that it could ultimately cost them the title.

"It's not correct, as we've always said, for us to favour one driver over the other," said Horner. "The team will support both drivers as equally as we can."

The team boss also insisted that both drivers are playing fair with one another as the two sides of the garage continue to work alongside each other instead of against each other.

"The way the drivers are working at the moment is fantastic. They are both working in a completely transparent and open way," he said.

"They are obviously competing for the biggest prize in motor sport and as a team that brings additional pressures with it, but as a team we are trying our best to support both drivers equally and both drivers are very much still in this Championship."

Source: Planet-F1