Spa-Francorchamps, 4th September

Felipe Massa had his usual Thursday afternoon meeting with the press, in the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Media motorhome in the Spa paddock and began by expressing his confidence for the coming weekend. "I feel really comfortable here and I still remember the great race I had here last year, being very competitive with my team-mate, Kimi," he began. "I showed I had a good pace in both qualifying and the race and that means I am optimistic about having a good weekend now. But of course, every year is different and this year, the field is very competitive. We have some new parts, on the aerodynamic side for this race, even though we did not test them at Monza, as that track has nothing in common with this one. We still need to improve the car a little bit but I hope that for this race we have done enough to still be ahead of our rivals. However, as we know, if it rains at Spa, it can be a complete lottery, as so many other factors can play their part, like for example when you time your pit stops."

Unusually, a TV reporter asked him what part luck played in his career and Massa revealed it is not a concept he really believes in. "I don't feel I'm unlucky, nor do I feel I have the luck of the devil!" he laughed. "It works both ways - look what happened in Hungary where I had to retire when leading and then in Magny-Cours when I was second for much of the time but ended up winning. The important thing is to do the best job possible and if a bit of good luck comes your way then so be it."


When talking about Spa-Francorchamps, the conversation inevitably turns to Michael Schumacher who won here six times and Massa was happy to praise his former team-mate. "It's true that Michael was the king of Spa, so maybe I should call him tonight and ask him for some tips," joked the Brazilian. "Spa is a very special track, because it is so quick and you have so many changes of direction. At the moment I feel very happy with my driving and with the consistency of my performance so let's hope I can carry on and follow Michael's example, even if I cannot compare myself to him as I haven't even won one championship. He was incomparable, together with Senna, one of the greatest two drivers ever. I learnt a lot from him in terms of how to work on the car and how to ensure the team is working to help me and how to use that support. I am growing and learning all the time and feel I have reached quite a high level."

And the inevitable question regarding the state of the championship between him and Raikkonen. "I have always felt capable of winning and the team have always known this and I don't need to make them believe it. Last year, we reached a point where my chances of taking the title had gone and from that moment on, I was very happy to work for the good of the team and I was happy that the team won both titles last year. I feel I have the full support of the team in my fight to become champion. But at the moment there are 60 points available and the difference between those of us leading the championship is very small, so there is no way we are thinking about anything other than just doing the best job possible on the track. On Sunday I will do my best to win the race and there is no need to think further than that at the moment. Of course these last two races in Europe are important, but imagine I win them both, but Hamilton is second: then the next four being more important still. So all six races are equally important."