Massa vows to push Hamilton for title

FELIPE MASSA insists he will push Lewis Hamilton all the way as the duo continue their battle for the world championship title at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.

The Ferrari driver trails McLaren’s Hamilton by seven points with three races of the season remaining.

It could have been a different story if Massa had not suffered misfortune in the pits in Singapore two weeks ago.

The Brazilian drove off with the fuel hose still attached after being given an incorrect signal from Ferrari’s automated system and consequently he failed to finish in the points to hand Hamilton a big advantage.

However, Massa is adamant he is over that disappointment and is ready to resume his title fight on the Fuji Speedway circuit.

“At this moment he (Hamilton) has the advantage but maybe by the next race it is different,” he said.

“I think he is a very strong driver. He is a very strong man and will be very hard to fight with but I think we are very strong also.

“We have shown we can have great performances as drivers, we have a great car and that is for sure the most important thing for the last three races. I will try to do well in qualifying, try to do a good run in the first stint and then an even better in the second and third stint.”

With team-mate Kimi Raikkonen’s title hopes all but ended his attention has switched to helping the team finish the season as strongly as possible.

And Massa insists the whole team has an important role to play at this stage of the season.

“As a team the job from all of us is crucial,” added the 27-year-old.

“Everybody is important throughout the season but they are even more important now.”

After the events in Singapore Ferrari have decided to revert to the traditional hand-held ‘lollipop’ system in Japan.

And Massa believes that though it is a slower method it will reduce the chances of a mistake happening again.

“I think it is the right decision,” he added. “The big difference by having the lollipop is if there is a problem then the guy with the lollipop can move it and make a huge shunt with your head so that you brake.

Hamilton was victorious on an appallingly wet Fuji Speedway circuit last year to take a 12-point lead over then team-mate Fernando Alonso into the final two races.

However, he managed to collect just two more points — crashing out in China before finishing seventh in Brazil — allowing Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen to overturn a 17-point gap and capture the title.

“Last year I was a little younger and excited by the fact I had just arrived in Formula One and so much was going on,” said Hamilton.

“I was leading [the championship] here but I didn’t really understand the magnitude of the situation and what was around me and the pressure that was on my shoulders. I dealt with it the best I could, but it wasn’t the best.

“But I learned from those mistakes and I have come this year and I’ve taken a big step in my life.”