Felipe Massa’s third place, aided by the anti-roll bar problem of Fernando Alonso, has allowed the Brazilian to out-qualify the Spaniard for the first time in 2012. The leading Ferrari driver understands the pressures on his shoulders ahead of Sunday.
Watched at Monza by Tifosi and Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, Massa comfortably picked up his best grid position of the season. He did so without the help of Alonso, who on Massa’s first lap had allowed his team-mate to pick up a slipstream.
“I think he had a problem, to be honest,” Massa said after qualifying. “He had a problem in Q3 and wasn’t able to complete his lap. But anyway, I was happy with my own lap. On my last lap I was completely out of the tow and I was able to put in my best lap of the weekend.
“I’m happy to be here, it’s always a very important race for us, and I’m looking forward to it. I think I know the pressure I have and just need to concentrate on the race.”
The qualifying result is Massa’s personal best since Monza two years ago.
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| Pos. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  L. Hamilton | McLaren | 01:24.010 | 15 |
| 2. | J. Button | McLaren | 01:24.133 | 15 |
| 3. | F. Massa | Ferrari | 01:24.247 | 16 |
| 4. | P. di Resta | Force India | 01:24.304 | 17 |
| 5. | M. Schumacher | Mercedes | 01:24.540 | 14 |
| 6. | S. Vettel | Red Bull | 01:24.802 | 22 |
| 7. | N. Rosberg | Mercedes | 01:24.833 | 15 |
| 8. | K. Raikkonen | Lotus | 01:24.855 | 18 |
| 9. | K. Kobayashi | Sauber | 01:25.109 | 18 |
| 10. | F. Alonso | Ferrari | 01:25.678 | 16 |
| Full results | ||||
| Felipe Massa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| More Felipe Massa photos | |||
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