Abu Dhabi: Felipe Massa is out of contention in the title race but the Ferrari driver's result on his home circuit at the Interlagos tomorrow will no doubt have a bearing on the championship.
Commenting on his role in the penultimate race during the pre-event press conference, Massa said, "Well, for sure, when you have a driver there taking points away from other drivers who are fighting for the championship it's always important. I see myself there and for sure thinking about starting in the best position and finishing in the best position as well."
Massa, who said one of his major problems this year has been his lack of good starts, said he was keen to finish off on a high note in Brazil and then in Abu Dhabi.
"To have the right grip on the first lap, to prepare the tyres, that was the most difficult thing," he said when asked about the difficulties he faced in the season. "But anyway 100 per cent concentrated on finishing well the season in these last two races."
Massa, who missed his hometown race last year, will be starting as one of the favourites, at least in the pole run. Commenting on the success he had winning his last three pole runs at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, he said, "Yeah, they were great races — 2006, 2007, 2008, but it's also true that it's a circuit where I love to race. Even before Formula One I won two races here in Formula Chevrolet, the category in which I started. Then I came back when I was in Formula One."
"There are also some corners which are not easy to do, especially talking about lap times, which are after turn six, which is very technical as well. And also, you see overtaking at every race here.
"It's a track which is small, it's not so big, not so long like many of the new tracks, but I think it's very well done."
He predicted a close race saying the crowd made a huge difference at Interlagos.
