Massa plays down home expectations

Felipe Massa insists the pressure from his fans will vanish once he steps inside the cockpit of his Ferrari at Interlagos on Saturday.


Around 100,000 fans at Interlagos will expect Massa to put his car on pole for the third successive year, so putting himself in the best possible position to clinch victory.
If the 27-year-old follows up by taking the chequered flag, whether he then pips Lewis Hamilton to the title is in the lap of the gods.
Massa knows all he can do is finish either first or second, while hoping McLaren's Hamilton suffers as he did in last year's race in Brazil, when he missed out on the championship by a point.
But like Hamilton has already stated, the title, the pressure, the crowd, will be far from his mind once he is embroiled in the race.
"It doesn't matter whether you are in Formula One, go-karts, or whatever, when you get inside the car you think about racing," said Massa.
"You are not thinking about being in Formula One, that it is the most important motorsport.
"You think about doing your best, about fighting, and for me that is the same whether I'm fighting for the championship in Formula One, or for a victory, even in a go-kart.
"When you are in a go-kart, you want to win. It is your dream and your motivation to win that race or championship.
"Similarly, you don't think about Formula One as you live for that moment.
"For sure, you have much more expectation and pressure, but when you are driving you don't think about that."
Team boss Stefano Domenicali has assured Massa he has their total support, despite the fact the constructors' championship is within their grasp.
With Ferrari leading McLaren by 11 points, Domenicali said: "We are very focused on the constructors' championship.
"But we will do the maximum for Felipe because he is fighting with Lewis after a great season."
Massa certainly began the weekend in fine form, finishing with the second fastest time of the day overall behind Renault's Fernando Alonso after Friday's two 90-minute practice sessions.
"It was important to get off on the right foot on the weekend that will decide the outcome of both world titles," added Domenicali.
"First impressions seem positive, and now we will concentrate on being as well prepared as possible for the rest of the weekend."
With the will of the crowd, Massa knows what he has to do
"My aim? To be in front of everyone, both today and tomorrow, and then we can do the maths when it's over," said Massa starkly.
"But racing at home, with the crowd on my side is great motivation for me, a fantastic feeling, but it is difficult to put it into words."