NEXT RACE - 25th May

Massa's not expecting an 'easy' race

Saturday 10th May 2008

Despite the history of the Turkish GP pointing to a likely success, Felipe Massa is not expecting an "easy" race come Sunday afternoon.

Istanbul has played host to the Turkish GP for the past three years and on each occasion the race has been won by the driver starting from pole position.

In fact Massa himself has won the two most recent additions of the grand prix from the coveted grid slot and was happy to add a third P1 to his tally.

"For sure I think I put together a very good lap," he said of his qualifying.

"I couldn't put together a good lap in Q2. I was a bit in traffic but in Q3 I managed to warm up the tyres in the right way and I even passed Alonso on the out lap to get a good lap.

"In the second try I improved a little bit and enough to put it on pole. I am so happy to come here for the third time with Ferrari and get the third time pole position."

"It is a fantastic track for me. There is a lot of pleasure to drive on this track. Turn 8 is very challenging, there is lots of oversteer there to get the maximum of the car and also the corners are quite technical.

"There's quite a lot of change of direction in the first sector. I really enjoy to come here. It is a big pleasure."

The Brazilian, though, is still expecting a difficult Sunday afternoon especially as he has the two McLarens right behind him on the grid.

He added: "I am looking forward to try and have the best race possible. For sure it won't be easy because we know our competitors are quite strong and quite close.

"The race tomorrow will not be so easy, so let's try and do everything right and put the tyres at the right moment and use the car in the right direction."

The 26-year-old is currently fourth in the Drivers' standings, 11 points behind his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn is starting the grand prix P4 on the grid.

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