Planet-F1

Massa: It's not my call to make

Thursday 28th August 2008

Felipe Massa is refusing to be drawn into the debate over whether Ferrari should put their efforts behind him in the title race.

With a total 60 points still to play for Massa is second in the title race after his victory in last weekend's European GP moved him to within six points of Championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

Meanwhile Kimi Raikkonen's DNF saw him fall to third place, 13 points adrift of Hamilton.

This has sparked some debate about whether Ferrari should put their efforts solely behind Massa in the title race as Hamilton already has the advantage of being McLaren's only title contender.

Massa, though, is refusing to pass comment on the issue.

"My win in Valencia moves me ahead of Kimi into second place in the Championship," said the Brazilian.

"I've been asked by some media if I feel Ferrari should favour me for the title now there are just six races remaining: all I can say to this is that I want to keep winning, to keep beating not just my team-mate but the others too.

"Decisions like this are nothing to do with me. I just do the best job possible for the team and leave the rest to the team management."

However team boss Stefano Domenicali has stated that should Ferrari opt to support Massa's title bid, team-mate Raikkonen will be called on to fill a supporting role.

"If needed, Kimi will help Felipe," Domenicali told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

"We spoke about it at the beginning of the year. Before then, however, let's see how things evolve."