He may have been in fuel saving mode for about two-thirds of the race, but
Felipe Massa still did enough to take sixth in India, despite being shadowed by
Kimi Raikkonen from practically start-to-finish.
The
Ferrari number two looked like he might be able to challenge
Jenson Button for fifth in the early stages, however, in the end he spent most of the race fending off the Lotus of Raikkonen.
Furthermore while he was briefly passed by the Finn into Turn 3 following his pit stop, Massa immediately got back in front, making the most of the DRS zone to re-take the position into Turn 4. After that he withstood the pressure and brought his F2012 home to take his seventh points finish in a row.
“It was a very tough fight, from start to finish,” Massa said after the 17th round in the 2012 F1 World Championship at the Buddh International Circuit. “After around 20 laps, I was told from the pitwall that I had to try and save fuel, so I ended up doing over half the race without being able to go flat out and I can assure you, it was definitely not easy, because Kimi was always very close to me.
“It wasn't the result I wanted, but all the same, these are important points for the Constructors' championship.”
“The duel with Kimi after the pit stop? I managed to come out of pit lane in front, but then I let him through at Turn 3 because he was still very close and I wanted to have the DRS down the straight,” Massa added.
“I think he realised that, but by then it was too late and I had the advantage and managed to get by.”
Massa's focus meanwhile now shifts to the next race and he has set his sights on doing better than P6 at the Yas Marina Circuit in seven days time.
“We now go to Abu Dhabi, which is something of a second home race for Ferrari, as we have the beautiful theme park there.
“Let's hope we have some more updates on the car and can secure a better result than this sixth place...”