• United States Grand Prix

Massa hopes for qualifying improvement

ESPN Staff
November 15, 2012 « Third title 'would be incredible' - Vettel | Win makes no difference for Raikkonen »
Felipe Massa qualified 8th in Abu Dhabi © Sutton Images
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Felipe Massa believes that Ferrari can have another strong race at this weekend's United States Grand Prix, but maintains that the team still needs to work on qualifying.

While Fernando Alonso finished second in Abu Dhabi, he had qualified in sixth place and was almost a second slower than pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton. With Ferrari having been unable to challenge for pole in dry conditions since the Italian Grand Prix, Massa said he hopes to be closer to the front on Saturday this weekend.

"I think that qualifying is the most important thing we need to work on," Massa said. "In many races we are quicker than McLaren and maybe Red Bull, but it's harder for us to put a qualifying lap together than them. Qualifying is the biggest problem for us, but I hope to see an improvement, although we'll see."

Whilst Massa experienced a difficult first half to the 2012 season, he experienced an up-turn in form after a set-up direction change following the Monaco Grand Prix which resulted in Ferrari renewing his contract for 2013.

"We changed the direction of the set up after that, so I felt much more confident in the car although I wasn't able to have good results until August. After that I was even happier because we were able to have clean races where we could start and finish in a good position and get great results."

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