Formula One news

Massa storms to pole, Hamilton to start fourth

Felipe Massa did what he needed in qualifying, storming to pole position ahead of a surprising performance from Toyota's Jarno Trulli. Kimi Raikkonen put his Ferrari third ahead of Lewis Hamilton, setting up a tense grid for tomorrow's critical Brazilian Grand Prix.

Qualifying got underway in dry and warm conditions with a real carnival atmosphere at Interlagos. The Brazilian fans were getting really into the action, cheering Massa at every opportunity and booing his title rival, Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton led the way early on in Q1 while Massa seemed to be suffering with understeer, but the Brazilian responded and with his second run went four tenths quicker than the McLaren to finish the first session ahead, with team mate Raikkonen improving to second on his second attempt, and relegating Hamilton to third. At the tail end of the field Nakajima, Button, Rosberg, Fisichella and Sutil failed to progress to Q2.

Kovalainen, the fastest man through all speed traps set the pace in Q2 as McLaren fought to bring its second driver into contention this weekend. Vettel was a surprise second fastest ahead of Hamilton, Massa, Glock and Raikkonen. Piquet, Webber, Kubica, Coulthard and Barrichello dropped out of Q2.

Massa threw down the early marker in Q3, half a second clear of Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen while a mistake in turn four left Hamilton sixth after his first flying lap. The cars pitted and headed out for their final qualifying laps of the year, with Hamilton having it all to do.

Massa improved on his final lap by a tenth and Hamilton got himself second, but was still half a second off his title rival. That gap meant in the final moments of qualifying that Trulli and Raikkonen went quicker, putting distance between the two championship hopefuls.

Massa then took pole to delight his home fans ahead of a surprise second place for Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen third. Hamilton ended up fourth ahead of Kovalainen, Alonso, Vettel, Heidfeld, Bourdais and Glock.

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