It is so cold in Europe at the moment
Felipe Massa has defended the decision of three F1 teams to abandon cold Europe and test this week in Bahrain.
The Brazilian driver, who on Wednesday topped the times at Sakhir with his V10-powered Ferrari, was joined on track by rivals from Honda and Scuderia Toro Rosso.
Some, like Honda`s Jenson Button, have expressed surprise that more of the eleven teams did not turn up, just three weeks ahead of the opening race of 2006 at the same circuit.

``It is so cold in Europe at the moment,`` 24-year-old Massa said at warn Sakhir on Wednesday, but others question the costs and logistics of flying overseas for a single test.

Massa, however - who has switched from Sauber – insisted : ``We think being here is an advantage. It was a very good decision.``

He said Ferrari, to stay in Bahrain well beyond Honda and STR`s intended schedules, is `under a lot of pressure` after teammate Michael Schumacher won just a single grand prix in 2005.

``I will try my very best to get as many podium finishes as possible,`` Massa said, ``when the season gets underway.``

Tags: grand-prix,