News Scan: Local Hero Felipe Massa Claims Pole For The Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix Race
Show your support.
Buzz this article up.
Oct 20, 2007
Ferrari
Local hero Felipe Massa took pole position for Sunday’s showdown Brazilian Grand Prix with a coruscating lap for Ferrari at Interlagos on Saturday.
He finished with a best lap time of one minute and 11.931 seconds to leave championship leading Lewis Hamilton of McLaren in second place, less than a tenth of a second behind him.
Massa, born in Sao Paulo and winner of last year’s race, saw his Ferrari team-mate Kimi Rakkkonen of Finland clock the third-best time ahead of fellow title contender and defending champion Fernando Alonso who was fourth for McLaren.
That meant that Hamilton, nick-named Rubinho by the Brazilian public, starts on the front row of the grid with Massa - an ideal scenario for the local public and a good opportunity for Hamilton to keep his two title rivals behind him. ABS-CBNNews
Felipe Massa admits it would be another dream come true if he could turn his “fantastic” pole position into a second successive victory at his home Interlagos circuit.
The Brazilian, who won from pole in Brazil last year, beat title-chasing Lewis Hamilton in qualifying by just over a tenth of a second to send his home fans wild in the grandstands.
However after outpacing his nearest rivals by 0.4s on his first Q3 run, before lowering the bar again by a further two tenths on his second, Hamilton briefly threatened his position after clocking the fastest time in the middle sector.
Massa revealed he had thought his McLaren rival might beat him to pole after he made a slight mistake on his final run – so was therefore naturally delighted Hamilton couldn’t quite match his effort. ITV.com
Felipe Massa grabbed pole for his home Brazilian Grand Prix - but Lewis Hamilton remains in the perfect position to take the Formula One world title.
Massa, 26, thrilled his home fans at the Interlagos circuit with a searing lap in his Ferrari in the final qualifying session - and he will lead away the field for the ninth time in his career.
Alongside him on the front row of the grid will be championship leader Hamilton for McLaren - with title rivals Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso directly behind him, just as he would want it.
For Hamilton, 22, starting second on the grid is as good as being on pole with only Massa ahead of him, and already out of the title picture. Richard Morgan, Telegraph.co
