Ferrari set to race new exhaust in Canada

The new configuration exhaust is an updated version of the set-up used on the F2012 in winter testing. And both drivers reported that the changes have improved the car.

"I think we can be happy with the fact that the updates we have brought here worked," said Felipe Massa, who was third fastest in the afternoon session, just behind team-mate Fernando Alonso. "The intention is to keep the car in this new configuration.

"The car seems to be well balanced and it seemed to me to be pretty consistent in terms of performance. To sum up, this has been the best Friday of 2012. Let's hope that can continue through Saturday and Sunday as well."

Alonso added: "I am pleased with the way things went. This morning, we concentrated mainly on evaluating some new updates. The first indications seem to be positive, but it is much too soon to draw any conclusions as Friday times should never be taken at face value."

Technical director Pat Fry said that Ferrari would be looking closely at the data gathered with the new exhaust layout to confirm the drivers' feelings.

"We brought two different exhaust configurations here," Fry explained. "One was the one used in the last two races, the other represents our latest interpretation of the concept that was part of the car when it made its debut at Jerez.

"From what we could see today, the latter configuration seems to be positive in terms of performance even if, obviously, we need to analyse the data very carefully to make the right choices for the race."