• Brazilian Grand Prix - Qualifying

Massa won't change approach to Sunday's race

Felipe Massa is hoping to beat Sebastian Vettel to the first corner © Press Association

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• Race:
• Brazilian Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Felipe Massa

• Teams:
• Ferrari

Felipe Massa insists there will be no change to his approach at Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, despite starting between the two title contenders on the grid.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel will start one place ahead of Massa on Sunday while his Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso will line up two places behind.

"My approach is to have the best race possible," Massa said. "I start fifth and I want to finish higher than fifth. That's always the approach I follow and I want to do everything I can to have a great race in front of my people."

He said he would not hold back if he gets the opportunity to pass Vettel at the start.

"I approach the start trying to overtake cars," he said. "If I have the opportunity to pass [Vettel] I will try, but before corner one you need to make a good start. That's always a good approach to whatever start you do."

It's the second race in a row Massa has been faster than Alonso in qualifying, but he was not surprised by his strong pace.

"It's not the first time I am competitive in Sao Paulo! To be honest, I have a great car to drive. Not so fast compared to Red Bull and McLaren in qualifying but the car and the balance is what I want. I think when you have the car you want to drive and the right balance I can be quick and competitive."

Asked if he might face a grid drop like he did in Austin when Ferrari broke a seal on his gearbox to put Alonso on the clean side of the grid, Massa joked: "Honestly, if this happens I will race with the gearbox broken!"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.