• United States Grand Prix

'I did the right thing for the team' - Massa

Felipe Massa recovered from 11th to fourth © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• United States Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Felipe Massa

• Teams:
• Ferrari

Felipe Massa admitted he was unhappy to lose five places on the grid for the United States Grand Prix but said he "did the right thing for the team".

Having qualified sixth ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso in eighth, Ferrari broke the seal on Massa's gearbox to relegate him five places and leave Alonso on the clean side of the grid in seventh. After an impressive recovery drive to fourth that Massa described as "like a victory", he admitted he was not so happy ahead of the race.

"I didn't have the same feeling this morning, for sure!" Massa said. "It's not nice, you don't feel happy because giving away five places is not something that a driver is happy to do. But I think I did the right thing for the team; I think this important so I think we need to be honest and I can say that I am very. I did one of the best races of the season as well; starting 11th, finishing fourth, overtaking many cars on the track, it was really a fantastic race and it was the best for the team and for Fernando as well, so in the end it's fine."

Massa added that he didn't think there were many other drivers who would be so willing to help out its team.

"It's impossible to see a driver happy giving away five positions to help your team-mate or your team, but we know how important it is. Maybe it's not easy to find another driver who will do that, but I think it's the most honest direction to be. For sure I was able to be in front of Fernando in this race but I think I did a very, very good help and it was the best race of the season. So for me it was like a victory."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.