Massa happy to take third place

Felipe Massa welcomed his third-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix, as the Brazilian completed a great day for Ferrari

"It was a good result at the end," said Massa, who finished behind Jenson Button and race winner Fernando Alonso.

"For sure at the start I had a chance to pass maybe Fernando as well, who was struggling on the second corner with Jenson. Then on the next corner he was inside, and also in the pits he did a very good stop.

"He was a bit closer to Jenson and was able to pass as the track was difficult. Even if Jenson did not have good top speed he was not easy to pass."

Massa came close to passing team-mate Alonso at the start, as the duo run side by side at the first and second corners.

Alonso stayed ahead, however, and Massa run in third for the remaining part of the event.

The Brazilian said the decision to wait until Button to pit was right, even if he was unable to pass the McLaren driver.

"It was the right choice to come in and change tyres. It was a good race and the performance of the car was good. The start was also quite difficult, also the first corner and also Turn 4. I felt Lewis hitting me, but anyway I think it was a good race.

"It was a great race and especially when you come here with all these people on the main straight and you don't see the asphalt. It is a great feeling being on the podium."