Abu Dhabi GP: Massa hopes to fight Mercedes duo in the race

Massa's team-mate Valtteri Bottas qualified third, less than two tenths behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton, while fourth-placed Massa reckoned he could have gone faster had he not been delayed by poleman Nico Rosberg on his out-lap in Q3, which he says led to a lock-up at Turn 5 that cost him time.

Despite failing to beat either Mercedes in qualifying, the Brazilian reckons the pressure of the title battle at the front may help Williams race them on Sunday.

"If Hamilton doesn't have a fantastic start, maybe we can be there," Massa said.

"Maybe he is also feeling a little bit of pressure, which is not a surprise looking at what happened to him every time he was fighting for the championship.

"So we will see. If it is possible to be there, we will be.

"I have less risk, they have more risk, so for sure they need to think twice compared to what we need to think about."

Williams performance chief Rob Smedley said his squad would go on the attack in the race, in order to consolidate third place in the constructors' championship.

"The worst thing you can do coming into a championship battle - and we've still got one with Ferrari - with a small buffer of points and get all defensive about it," Smedley said.

"We have to go out and get the maximum points we can.

"We've got our own priorities and want to close the gap on second tomorrow, just as much as we want to extend the gap to third, and that's the way we have to approach the race.

"We don't have to do anything different. We're getting better and better race-by-race and we have to continue in that ilk."

Smedley also reckoned the Mercedes were ultimately out of reach in qualifying, even if Williams had enjoyed a perfect session.

"Lewis for whatever reason didn't get everything together, but I think Felipe lost a tenth and a half on his best lap and that would have put him half a tenth behind Lewis," Smedley added.

"The reality is you've got another Merc up the road by four tenths, and that's the one to concentrate on.

"It's not about showmanship; we have to be honest with ourselves."