Sunday, August 24, 2008

Lewis: Massa will be hard to beat

Re-produced from Planet F1.
Saturday 23rd August 2008

Lewis Hamilton faces an uphill struggle to win the European GP as he takes on a man desperate to erase the heartache he suffered in his last race.

Current Championship leader Hamilton starts from second on the grid at the impressive Valencia street circuit behind a fired-up Felipe Massa, on pole for the 13th time in his career.

The Brazilian, eight points adrift of Hamilton in the standings, is still smarting after victory was snatched from his grasp in a cruel fashion three weeks ago in Hungary.

Massa would have taken over at the top but for his Ferrari engine blowing three laps from home when he was coasting to the win.

The 27-year-old has had to carry that pain through the summer break and is now eager to atone and take the chequered flag in Valencia, making its debut on the Formula One calendar.

With a determined Massa ahead of him, Hamilton knows he will have his hands full.

"It will be a close fight again with Ferrari, but as you saw in sector one (on the track), Felipe destroyed everyone," remarked Hamilton.

"They're going to be the car to beat, but we're going to push as hard as we can to do so.

"We've done a great job so far. Our approach has been as good as ever. We've come here with a strong package, and at least we're close to the Ferraris.

"I'm quite happy with the job we've done today, and being on the front row puts us in a good position to fight for a win, so I'm very, very happy.

"It's just important we get a good start. I'll aim to challenge Felipe, but if I don't get close enough then I will just try to keep my position."

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