Felipe Massa is in position to win the Formula One championship on home soil.
Massa claimed the pole for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix with a fast lap of 1 minute, 12.368 seconds at the 2.6-mile Interlagos track.
Trailing series leader Lewis Hamilton by seven points heading into this season finale, Massa has a shot to win his first F1 championship if he finishes among the top two.
The 23-year-old Hamilton, who leads the circuit with 94 points, is guaranteed to become the youngest F1 champion if Massa finishes third or lower.
Hamilton will go out in the fourth spot Sunday, behind Massa, Jarno Trulli and defending champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Massa delighted the partisan crowd during Saturday’s qualifying session, claiming an unprecedented third consecutive pole at the event.
“The people here are amazing,” Massa said. “Making it third year in a row in front of these amazing people, I don’t have any words that can describe how good it feels.”
If Massa wins in Brazil, Hamilton must finish at least fifth to become the first British champion since Damon Hill in 1996. A second-place finish by Massa would force Hamilton to finish seventh or better.
Sunday’s 71-lap race is scheduled for noon EST.
source: nationalpost.com
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