- Canadian GP - Qualifying
Brake issues cost Massa third
Felipe Massa is convinced he could have qualified third in Canada were it not for a temperature problem with his brakes in Q3 which left him on the third row behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
Williams has looked most likely to challenge Red Bull for the final spot on the podium all weekend and Massa carried that promise through to qualifying, finishing behind the Mercedes pair in Q1 and Q2. But he appeared to lose something in the final session, which saw third to sixth covered by less than a tenth as Sebastian Vettel jumped above the Williams pair, which Massa says was down to losing vital time in Q3 through the first corner.
"Everything was related to the brakes, because I had a very good temperature until the last run in Q2," Massa said. "But then on the last three runs my front brake on the left wheel was too cold, so I was always locking the front wheel through Turn 1 and losing time. So for sure it was not great and we need to understand why and whether its clear on the data … I have no idea if that is just that but for sure it did not help especially on a track that is not easy to warm up the tyres. It doesn't help for the front grip so I was locking the front a lot."
When asked if that cost him third, Massa said: "I think so, yes. But I'm still happy with the car. I think tomorrow is also a different story, it is a very long race, difficult, and we need to make sure we are doing everything right to score good points."
Having failed to capitalise on Williams' pre-season potential so far in 2014, Massa realises Sunday's race presents a golden opportunity.
"I'm confident but after every session it would be nice to have both cars in front of Red Bull. But still, I'm confident the car can be good tomorrow. I think we need to use the opportunity, sometimes you don't have many so you need to. When you can, you pass, on this track it is possible to overtake if you have the opportunity to gain positions."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
