NEXT RACE - 7th September

Massa expecting a 'big competition' on Sunday

Saturday 19th July 2008

Felipe Massa is expecting a tough battle between Ferrari and McLaren for the victory in Sunday's German Grand Prix.

Saturday's qualifying resulted in Massa being sandwiched between the two McLarens on the grid after Lewis Hamilton pipped him to pole position by 0.19s while Heikki Kovalianen was 0.2s slower than the Brazilian.

The only driver out of place was Massa's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who qualified in a disappointing sixth place.

Massa will therefore have to hold off the challenge from the two McLarens on his own, but the Brazilian is nonetheless confident he can put in a good showing come Sunday afternoon.

"We don't know how much fuel everybody has," he said. "But it is competitive between Ferrari and McLaren, so the race will be a big competition.

"That's potentially very exciting, but we have to do everything right in the race."

And with rain expected on Sunday afternoon that could prove to be a problem as Massa struggled in F1's last wet grand prix, spinning no fewer than five times at Silverstone two weeks ago.

The Brazilian, though, has downplayed that showing, saying he has the ability to race and win in the wet. "I know I'm quick, even in the wet," he said.

"I don't believe what people say that I'm not good in the wet, and I know I've not forgotten how to drive in the wet in F1. I just had a bad weekend.

"So far this has just been a normal weekend, showing we are competitive."

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