A delicate moment - Massa

Speaking in the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro press area, an office mounted on stilts in the middle of a small lake behind the garages, Felipe Massa gave his views on the tense championship situation as Ferrari and its only rivals for the titles prepare to do battle once again after a three week break.

"Of course, we are at a point in the championship where, naturally, there is pressure on us," began the Brazilian. "It is a delicate moment. But this is a normal situation: when you are a Ferrari driver and the team is fighting for the titles then there will always be pressure. We have to remain focussed, do the best we can and not make any mistakes. We will use everything we have available to us to try and stay in front and have a really great weekend. We are confident and I think we have a car with which we can fight and, most importantly, with which we can win."

Looking specifically at this final trio of races - China, Japan, Brazil - the Ferrari man saw no particular weak points at these venues. "I see us in good shape at all three remaining races," he maintained. "The three circuits should suit us well and even here in Shanghai, Ferrari has won before. However, having said that, the past does not count. What is important is that, this year, we have gone well on tracks with similar characteristics, like Turkey and Malaysia, so these circuits all share some similarities with Shanghai and I think you can say the same about Suzuka next weekend. And then comes Interlagos. Of course, as a Brazilian it would be great to have a really good race there and let's hope we win both championships there."

Part of Felipe's confidence stems from partly from the encouraging results of an intensive test programme carried out prior to this grand prix. "We have new things on the car such as new aerodynamic components and suspensions and that should help us a bit," he revealed. "I think we have done a solid job in this area and it gives me more confidence. Certainly, our rivals have also got new parts but I know we will have a competitive package."