Felipe Massa has said Ferrari's new F60 feels entirely different to last season's car.
Brazilian puts new car through its paces
Felipe Massa has said Ferrari's new F60 car feels entirely different to last season's F2008, in which he challenged for the World Championship.
The Brazilian gave the new machine its first shakedown run at Mugello on Monday after the Scuderia had earlier unveiled the car at their Maranello headquarters.
Formula One has made major changes for the coming season with new aerodynamic regulations and slick tyres brought in to boost overtaking.
The KERS system, which gives cars a limited power boost by recovering energy from the brakes, is also set to be introduced.
"It really is a car which is totally different to what we were used to up to last year," said Massa, who finished runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in last year's Drivers' Championship.
"KERS and the aerodynamic changes mean the car is completely different to drive. This is just the beginning of a new cycle in Formula One and it will not be an easy experience."
Massa was positive after his outing at Mugello and ahead of testing proper, which starts in Portimao, Portugal, later this month.
"This was the first day and we weren't looking to do 100 laps and good times given that they've changed the rules," he said. "Today there were small problems like on any first day but I'm happy with how it went.
"It will certainly be very different to drive this car...but you get more familiar and eventually it will be automatic. When changes are introduced it is always like that and at this stage we suffer, like last year with the lack of traction control.
"This is a situation where the driver is more important."
Rivals
Massa had earlier predicted that McLaren Mercedes will once again be Ferrari's chief World Championship rivals this season, adding that both BMW Sauber and Renault could move further into contention.
"It's difficult to say what the most difficult car to beat will be," he said. "We expect McLaren to be very competitive, maybe BMW, who are working really hard and growing a lot year by year.
"Maybe Renault and maybe we can have some other team who can show great performance as well. So it's quite difficult to say but for sure we are working really hard and hopefully it will be us."
Massa, who is embarking on his seventh F1 season, said he also hoped to use his growing experience to the best possible advantage in 2009.
"Every year I feel stronger," he added. "I think after so much experience in these six years I feel stronger, I feel more experienced, especially after last year, with how difficult the Championship was.
"That makes me ready and even more experienced for next season."
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