• Bahrain Grand Prix - Qualifying

Massa admits to tyre 'gamble'

ESPN Staff
April 20, 2013 « Bitter-sweet result for di Resta | Rosberg hopes pole will 'kickstart' his season »
Felipe Massa will start alongside team-mate Fernando Alonso but on a different strategy © Sutton Images
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Felipe Massa admits he has taken a gamble by qualifying on the hard tyre for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

With Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber both taking grid penalties ahead of tomorrow's race, Massa saw an opportunity to secure a higher grid position on the prime compound. The strategy worked as Massa qualified sixth but will start fourth alongside his team-mate Fernando Alonso, though he is remains unsure as to whether the move will pay off.

"I think it can be positive," Massa said. "I saw the possibility to gain position with two cars who will lose position. So that's why I maybe concentrated on the hard. Let's try, it is a gamble; maybe it works, maybe not. We don't know, but if it works it can be a very good thing for tomorrow."

Jenson Button in 10th is the highest-placed driver who can choose to start on the hard tyre as well after he failed to set a time in Q3. While happy with his choice, one area Massa feels he may be hampered as a result is the launch off the grid.

"I think for the long run the hard is a little bit more consistent. Degradation is a little bit better; on the hard it is high anyway, but it's a little bit better. So we'll see tomorrow, maybe also with the improvements on the track it can be even better and even more interesting to have the hard to start. Maybe the start is a little bit worse on the grid compared to the other one but we'll see how it's going to be."

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