Felipe Massa Strikes Back

Felipe Massa continued on his roll today, providing a superb performance just when it was needed by scoring pole position on the Valencia street circuit for tomorrow's European Grand Prix. If this place is like most street circuits, then the pole position is very important. On the other hand, it does not look as if it will be like other street circuits. It has been a weekend full of surprises.

Not so surprising was that Lewis Hamilton starts from second on the grid, and will try to return the move that Massa made on him in Budapest when the Brazilian passed him at the first corner during the first lap of the Hungarian Grand Prix three weeks ago.

Kimi Raikkonen continued his bad qualifying, after setting the fastest lap in practice on Friday. He could do no better than fourth. But the Finn is not discouraged, since he knows anything can happen.

But Massa remains the most relieved of the drivers. "It's great to be on pole position," he said, "especially after the great disappointment of Budapest. But I'm well aware the race is tomorrow and so there is still a long way to go."