Massa Delighted with Qualifying Performance

Brazilian Felipe Massa was delighted after equalling his best qualifying performance in Formula One ahead of Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Sauber driver, who had never driven around the Hungaroring circuit before this weekend, recovered well from a heavy shunt in Friday's practice and posted a promising seventh quickest time ahead of German teammate Nick Heidfeld, who wound up eighth.

"I am really, really pleased with seventh place, especially after what happened yesterday," said Massa after the session. "Like Nick, I had understeer on my second and third runs, especially in the third sector which is very hard on the tyres.

"We made a set-up change that helped a lot for my final run and the balance of the C21 was excellent. I had a car that let me show what I can really do today."

Heidfeld, still not completely satisfied with the balance of his Petronas-powered C21 chassis, was also happy with his position and looking forward to another strong race in Hungary after finishing in sixth place last year.

"All weekend we have been chasing the balance on the car, and on my second and third runs it was still understeering too much," he said. "For my final outing we changed one thing and it made a significant difference.

"The balance still wasn't quite right, but considering what we had been fighting against up to that point I am very happy with eighth place. Last year I had a really good race here, and I don't see why we shouldn't repeat that again now."