Massa up for the fight

Eurosport - Wed, 08 Oct 13:07:00 2008

Ferrari's Felipe Massa has warned championship leader Lewis Hamilton that the fight for the Formula One title will rage all the way to the wire.

FORMULA 1 - Felipe Massa - GP Singapour 2008 - 0

The Brazilian trails his McLaren rival by seven points with three races left but promised to give the Briton a battle at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

"This season we have shown good mental strength after bad performances," Massa told reporters. "There's still 30 points to fight for.

"We will definitely not give up. We will fight until the last lap of the last race. That's all I have on my mind now."

Massa's title hopes suffered a severe blow after a botched pitstop meant he finished 13th in Singapore two weeks ago while Hamilton banked six points for finishing third.

However, Massa insisted he was more than capable of bursting Hamilton's bubble at Fuji Speedway, where the Briton triumphed in pouring rain last year.

"First of all we need to think about reducing the seven points," he said. "Seven points can be nothing. Hopefully we can bounce back now and win races again."

Massa is hoping to become the first Brazilian to win the Formula One title since the late Ayrton Senna in 1991 but refused to let his thoughts waver.

"We need to think about things step by step," said Massa, whose team mate Kimi Raikkonen, the reigning world champion, has been ordered to lift his game to aid the Brazilian's title challenge.

"First I have to think about this weekend. Then we think about China and Brazil. If we put everything together and make it, it would be more than a dream come true.

"It would be something really indescribable for a Brazilian driver - a great country for motor sports. We had Senna, who was one of the most incredible drivers ever.

"It would be fantastic for my country. But now is not the right time to think about it."

Reuters

Comment 49 - 68 of 128

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  1. safer than a dummy?????? hee hee hee

    From r.l.milligan, on Wed 8 Oct 7:59PM

  2. Thanks ClispyDuck. I appreciate the support.
    With­ regard to the championship, I still think that Ferrari­ will win the constructor's title, unless Kovi steps­ up. The driver's title will be close, but Massa may­ have already lost it in Singapore. Only time will tell.­ I just hope that we get three controversy-free races.

    From Forza Ferrari, on Wed 8 Oct 7:58PM

  3. usalien1967 my money is definetly on McLaren. To put it­ on Ferrari would be just like giving it to the bank HEE­ HEE.

    Got painkillers for my side just in case it­ starts to hurt when I laugh again this weekend

    From r.l.milligan, on Wed 8 Oct 7:58PM

  4. Tifosi4ever i do.... wish... you would do my­ ironing,washing make my bed, ha haha

    From JEFF F, on Wed 8 Oct 7:58PM

  5. The title race will go all the way until it RAINS.

    From TYGERZI, on Wed 8 Oct 7:57PM

  6. Ferrari return to lolliepop eh? Is that because Massa­ and Kimi keep on throwing their toys out of that red­ pram???

    From JEFF F, on Wed 8 Oct 7:54PM

  7. Massa a Senna???? what an insult to a excellent driver,­ he would be turning in his grave at that remark never­ insult the greatest man ever in F1!
    Massa your a joke­ ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ho ho ho ho ho­ ho ho he he he he he he he he he he what a clown!

    From JEFF F, on Wed 8 Oct 7:53PM

  8. And Jeff, I dont need to answer the question 'What­ ya gonna do when the championship comes crashing down­ around you!' because it won't. Massa to win,­ Ferrari to win, come on the reds!!!

    From tifosi4eva, on Wed 8 Oct 7:52PM

  9. Jeff F you wish!!

    From tifosi4eva, on Wed 8 Oct 7:51PM

  10. And tifosi4ever i will argue...Mclaren have the best­ car no breakdowns,crashes etc... and we have the most­ points, and your bandits will not win­ championship.
    What ya gonna do when the championship­ comes crashing down around you!
    Goodbye....goodbyeeeee­ wipe the tears from your eyeeeee

    From JEFF F, on Wed 8 Oct 7:50PM

  11. ohh I forgot that uselessbrain that shock us with his­ precious comments he is more clown than you and every­ mclaren fan I ever see

    From Brayan, on Wed 8 Oct 7:44PM

  12. Nice to see your comments again Forza and Tifossi

    From Brayan, on Wed 8 Oct 7:44PM

  13. tifosi4ever YOU WISH!!! Now have my Mclaren babies baby­ x

    From JEFF F, on Wed 8 Oct 7:40PM

  14. Come on now fellow McLaren fans. Forza Ferrari is the­ most fair Ferrari supporter in here and always gives­ sensible comments. He supports his team but always sees­ the other teams side too.

    From crispyduck, on Wed 8 Oct 7:38PM

  15. Come on Felipe!!! That is the right attitude, confident­ but not overdone (like someone...), he has arguebly the­ best car on the grid and the reigning WDC for back-up­ (if he ever hets his act together), its all there, go­ on Massa!!!

    From tifosi4eva, on Wed 8 Oct 7:11PM

  16. ohh I forgot that uselessbrain that shock us with his­ precious comments he is more clown than you and every­ mclaren fan I ever see

    From Brayan, on Wed 8 Oct 7:04PM

  17. usalien'67, Ham might be the bookies fave now but­ if you have a look at the odds there are only a few­ pennies difference between him and Felipe!!

    From wizzo, on Wed 8 Oct 6:58PM

  18. usalien, as many of your McLaren buddies will tell you,­ I have posted a number of valid comments on this site­ without resorting to childish insults or attacks on­ McLaren, Lewis, or any other teams/drivers. As a matter­ of fact, I am probably one of the only Ferrari fans who­ has shown respect towards McLaren and Lewis Hamilton. I­ have also criticized Ferrari when they deserve it. I­ only resort to underhanded comments when­ provoked.

    Contrary to what you think, I would actually­ be surprised if Massa won the title. There's a­ chance that he could do it, but it would take a mistake­ or poor luck on Lewis' part, which is not likely.­ Like I said, either driver would be a deserving­ champion, but I am sure that you disagree.

    Also, based­ on your past comments, in particular those regarding­ Schumacher not being any good at overtaking (another­ post), I don't think that you are in any position­ to question my intellect.

    From Forza Ferrari, on Wed 8 Oct 6:56PM

  19. People on here really need to wake up....Massa will not­ and cannot win the championship unless LH dnf! Our man­ only has to come second in the remaining 3 races to win­ however i do not like the above story by massa which­ tells me they being ferrari and or drivers will be­ looking for a way to put hamilton off track? As i have­ said before the red bandits are out again to cheat lie­ and steal to win again! I will be watching with a close­ eye and will personally contest in the event of any­ unapropriate behavour from the red bandits!
    And usalien­ you are the man with such great comments to which i­ admire!
    Keep up the good work!

    From JEFF F, on Wed 8 Oct 6:53PM

  20. take it easy use less brain (comment 16) ferrari are­ not mclaren to tell kimi to take your lulu out like­ what mclaren told DC to take out MS so mika hakinnen­ can win the title =0

    From Brayan, on Wed 8 Oct 6:53PM
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