Hamilton focused on his own game plan

The McLaren driver could only qualify fourth on the grid, behind Massa, Jarno Trulli and Ferrari's other driver Kimi Raikkonen, while Fernando Alonso starts directly behind the Briton in sixth position.

But Hamilton told ITV that he was not feeling any added pressure because of Massa's performance and says he is entirely focused on his own game plan.

"I don't think so," when he was asked if he felt extra pressure. "Obviously it would be nicer to be a bit further up ahead, but I think with the strategy we have, it's quite good.

"I mean for sure that is where he [Massa] needs to be and all the best to him really.

"But I am just going to focus on my job, and I don't need to do anything spectacular, I just need to bring the car home with some good points."

Hamilton conceded however that finishing in the points would not be an easy task, given the levels of tyre degradation the teams have seen this weekend, while there are also concerns that rain may yet be a factor in the weekend's events.

"I mean it is going to be a tough race for sure, looking after the tyres," he said. "I'm comfortable with the fuel strategy we have. Obviously the guys in front [of us] have probably got on a different strategy, which could be good, could be bad for them.

"We will have to wait and see tomorrow, we are in a great position to finish where we are and even make some steps forward."

Hamilton's teammate Heikki Kovalainen qualified fifth, but set the fastest time of all in the session on low fuel.

McLaren may need to bring the Finn into play to help protect Hamilton's points lead, and while he starts behind both Ferraris, he hinted to the UK broadcaster that he was carrying more fuel in Q3 adding that he expected to be a front-runner in tomorrow's race.

"If you look at Q1 we were right up there, then we went backwards a little bit in Q3," he said. "But I don't think we suddenly lost a bit of pace, I think the strategies are probably slightly different and tomorrow is a long race.

"A bit of unstable might weather also be a factor so I think we are well prepared and I'm very confident."