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Massa takes pole for home Grand Prix

Felipe Massa is congratulated by his wife after he clocked the fastest time in the qualifying session at the Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA

Felipe Massa took the pole position on Saturday for the decisive Brazilian Grand Prix, with overall leader Lewis Hamilton beside him on the front row and in a commanding position to become Formula One champion.

Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso -- Hamilton's rivals for the title -- took places on the second row, with Raikkonen third and Alonso fourth.

Massa, last year's winner in Brazil, drove his Ferrari around the 4.3km Interlagos track in 1 minute, 11.931 seconds. The Brazilian was .151 faster than Hamilton and .391 faster than Ferrari teammate Raikkonen. Alonso, Hamilton's McLaren teammate, timed 1:12.356.

"This is sensational," Massa said. "And hopefully the guys behind me will have a good fight. It will be very nice for these [fans] to watch a good race. Hopefully I can go for the victory."

"I am quite confident and relaxed for tomorrow [Sunday] and I know what I have to do to win the championship," Hamilton said. "My focus is not on winning the race, but the title."

It was warm and sunny for qualifying on Saturday, in conditions similar to those expected for yesterday's race.

All three title contenders easily made it through the first two elimination sessions but Massa came out strong in the final part of the time trials, with the Brazilian clinching the pole to the delight of local fans.

Raikkonen lost time while trying to make a pass over Hamilton in the middle of his last quick lap, and said he expected it was going to be "much easier" to make the pass.

Hamilton said he didn't intentionally get in Raikkonen's way.

"I realized he was very, very close so I slowed down," Hamilton said. "I backed out and he went past me."

Alonso was the only driver using an older engine because of his crash at the Japanese GP three weeks ago.

Drivers must use the same engine in two consecutive races, and Alonso had a new one in China and was using it again.
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