Ferrari surprised by McLaren's pace

Massa started on pole position but by the time he exited the first corner had dropped to third place after double world champion Alonso and rookie Hamilton surged past.

The Brazilian tried to attack Hamilton, almost taking him on the third lap, before sliding off the track briefly on the fifth. Massa eventually finished in fifth place.

"Yes, I am surprised at the pace of the McLarens," Massa told reporters.

"I'm not surprised that they were in front because they have a fantastic team with two great drivers, but I am surprised at how fast they were.

"It just means that we have to work harder to try and stay in front of them."

Massa was particularly impressed with 22-year-old Hamilton, who had his second podium finish in two races following his third place at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne last month.

The two drivers had a breathtaking fight early in the race, with Massa overtaking Hamilton during the third lap only for the Briton to regain the advantage seconds later.

"It is not easy to overtake on this circuit but I knew I had to try. That is what life is about," said Massa. "I didn't have enough grip and that's why I slid off and before that he was able to get back in front of me.

"But the main thing is that I finished in the points. And now we must look to do better in the next race."

Hamilton said later that he had tricked Massa into making the late-braking move that saw the Brazilian slide across the grass.

"Felipe had a couple of moves but fortunately I was able to trick him into outbraking himself," said Hamilton. "I apologise for that, but at the end of the day we got the points so it doesn't really matter."

Massa, tipped by some as a likely champion this year following the retirement of Ferrari ace Michael Schumacher, has yet to be on the podium this season and finished sixth in Melbourne.