Massa pips Hamilton to pole in Turkey

Updated 14.16 Sat Aug 25 2007

Keywords: McLaren, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, Felipe Massa, Formula One, sport

Ferrari's Felipe Massa has clinched pole postion for the Turkish Grand Prix ahead of World Drivers' Championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

Massa, who claimed his maiden Formula One win in Istanbul last year, posted a time of one min 27.329 seconds right at the end of final qualifying.

"The car is good. The team have been pushing to gain another step. We've a good package, which stands us in good stead to have a fight with the Ferraris" - Lewis Hamilton

And the 26-year-old Brazilian, who only qualified 14th in Budapest three weeks ago due to a number of problems, said after sealing his fifth pole of the season and the eighth of his career to date: "It was very tough, very tight.

"You could say that through qualifying for all four drivers, but I put in a great lap and I am very proud, especially after such a bad result in Hungary."

Hamilton, who is seven points clear of McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso at the top of the World Drivers' Championship standings, prevented an all-Ferrari front grid, clocking a faster time than Kimi Raikkonen.

And the 22-year-old British rookie is upbeat about his chances of following up his victory in Hungary in Turkey.

Hamilton said: "I'm quite pleased with that. I kept on pushing, losing a bit of time in the last corner, which is a tricky corner. But it's good for us and good for the team.

"The car is good. The team have been pushing to gain another step. We've a good package, which stands us in good stead to have a fight with the Ferraris."

Raikkonen will be on the second row of the starting grid alongside Alonso, who posted a faster time than Robert Kubica and his BMW Sauber team-mate Nick Heidfeld.

Red Bull's David Coulthard was 13th fastest in final qualifying, two places ahead of the Honda of fellow Briton Jenson Button.