Williams has lost its Formula 1 straight-line speed edge says Massa
Felipe Massa believes Williams has lost its key advantages of straight-line speed and fuel consumption this year, as it faces a tough fight against Ferrari
After losing out on a podium spot at the Australian Grand Prix to Sebastian Vettel, Massa is in no doubt that Ferrari has made gains in areas where Williams was stronger last year.
And that means the pressure is on Williams to make gains through more downforce in 2015.
"We don't have an advantage on the straights any more," said Massa ahead of the Malaysian GP. "That is really the only thing that Ferrari show, they improve massively the engine.
"They have a much better system, much better engine compared to last year. Last year we had a car that we were losing in the corners, we had less downforce than Ferrari, but we were gaining on the straights.
"We were compensating the speed we were gaining on the straight and this time we don't have this difference on the straight anymore. So we know aerodynamics is a big point, which we need to work on."
FUEL CONSUMPTION NEEDS WORK
Massa also revealed that the fuel consumption advantage Williams had last year - which enabled the team to start lighter than other outfits - has also gone.
Referring to suggestions Ferrari struggled to get to the end in Australia, Massa said: "We had fuel trouble as well.
"For sure we had to save a little bit of fuel during the race, so we are still working to get the best in terms of consumption as well. There is a lot to improve on that as well.
"We changed something on the engine and it is a different system that we are still learning how to improve."
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