Cold Spanish winter leaves teams unprepared for 2013 F1 season

Felipe Massa testing the Ferrari F138 in cold Spain

The F1 world was ruing the cold and wet Barcelona weather on Thursday, as the last days of pre-season testing began a fortnight ahead of the 2013 season opener.

“I do wonder why we come here to test every winter,” Pirelli’s Paul Hembery is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“In the past we have talked about going to Bahrain. Maybe that makes more sense,” he said.

With more bad weather forecast, Hembery’s frustration was widespread in the paddock.

“Teams have never gone into a new season so unprepared,” said Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt.

Agreed Sauber designer Matt Morris: “It’s virtually impossible to size up the opposition.”

One reporter told team newcomer Sergio Perez he seems “nervous” about a lack of dry running and understanding of the new McLaren.

“I wouldn’t say nervous,” he insisted, “I’m just a little disappointed I didn’t get more time on a dry track before we go to Melbourne.

“We’re not fully prepared for the first race,” the Mexican admitted to O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, “but I’m sure everyone in the paddock is in the same condition.”

Ferrari’s Massa added: “It’s what we have, these are the rules — what can we do? We have to make the most of it.”

Mark Webber was fastest at the end of day one in Barcelona, and he said Red Bull’s weather forecast is for better conditions on Sunday.

“But still nothing like Melbourne,” said the Australian, “and not much like the conditions we will get at most other races.”

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa thinks it will be clear “a lot of teams are competitive” once the season finally kicks off.

“The Red Bull is definitely a very good car,” he said. “Also the Lotus and McLaren.

“A podium in Australia would be fantastic,” the Brazilian added.

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