Title rivals expecting close fight

Friday 10th October 2008

World Championship rivals Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa are expecting a close battle in this weekend's Japanese GP - but rain could swing the balance decisively in the McLaren's driver favour.

While Friday practice was undertaken in sunshine, a repeat of last year's downpour is expected to play into Hamilton's hands after his storming drive to win twelve months ago. However, while rain is forecast for qualifying, Sunday's race is expected to be run in the dry - leaving the balance of power behind Ferrari's Massa and McLaren's Hamilton finely poised.

"The car is as I expected it to be be - very consistent at this circuit and I'm very happy with it. We're in a good position," the World Championship leader said after finishing second practice in third place.

"On dry pace, we're going to be very close to Ferrari, and I think in the wet we'll be very competitive."

But fourth-placed Massa was just fractionally slower than Hamilton - an early indication, perhaps, that this weekend's clash remains too close to call.

"The lap times were very competitive. My car felt good on the first lap and also on the long runs. I'm pretty with happy with the day and how the car behaved," reflected the Brazilian.

"I think it will be very close, but I think we are going in the right direction."

Your Comments

junaidfiaz

"Dear Howee".. i Mean its going to be heart breaking , either for McLaren or ferrari fans.i m big fan of ferrari ,so my prayers are always behind them.and brother you r mcleren fan ,you will always try to defend them.but i think respect should be given to your opponent.and dont forget mcleren r using ferrari confidentional data ,that gave mcleren edge.But i m still confident Massa can Win races from any place.if you have not seen british GP ,when Massa beat both mcleren drivers at very first corner.good luck friend"

dezbo1960

"whatever..but what will be will be,,and for what it's worth as a maclaren fan through and through, it's gunna go to the wire, but lewis will be the one with the cigar"

RichardW

"Just for the record, Massa has started as well with exception of GB and Monaco this year (started from 2nd row). So not much in it. I hope they are both on front row in Japan and its dry. Then it will ball his wins from the front row and with the exception of Bahrain, France and Belgium (all 2008) he started from pole. So, yes, he is yet to win by overtaking on the track. But then Hamilton's wins all started from pole e an even race."

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