Delighted Massa expects tough race

The Ferrari driver posted a best time of 1:27.617 to clinch his third consecutive pole position in Turkey.

He has also won for the past two years.

Despite his pole, however, the Brazilian is not expecting an easy race, with McLaren drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton second and third.

"I am looking forward to try and have the best race possible," said Massa. "For sure it won't be easy because we know our competitors are quite strong and quite close.

"The race tomorrow will not be so easy, so let's try and do everything right and put the tyres at the right moment and use the car in the right direction."

The Ferrari driver, currently fourth in the standings, admitted he enjoys driving at Istanbul Park.

"For sure I think I put together a very good lap," he added. "I couldn't put together a good lap in Q2. I was a bit in traffic but in Q3 I managed to warm up the tyres in the right way and I even passed Alonso on the out lap to get a good lap.

"In the second try I improved a little bit and enough to put it on pole. I am so happy to come here for the third time with Ferrari and get the third time pole position."

"It is a fantastic track for me. There is a lot of pleasure to drive on this track. Turn 8 is very challenging, there is lots of oversteer there to get the maximum of the car and also the corners are quite technical.

"There's quite a lot of change of direction in the first sector. I really enjoy to come here. It is a big pleasure."