Q & A with Felipe Massa

At the traditional Shell press conference on Thursday, Massa told the media how he intends to approach the Interlagos weekend.

Q. When did you first realise that you had no more chance of winning the world championship?

Felipe Massa: "Obviously after all the races where we couldn't score points and didn't score points where we should have. The loss of points in these races is what really affected us. But it was a combination of things. It was a general problem but we worked hard and we will keep working hard to ensure that what happened this year will not happen next year."

Q. With all the reliability problems this year, do you trust the team less?

FM: "No. I only trust the team 100 percent. The trust is strong. I trust the team and all believe in the team. The best thing is to work together and solve the problems"

Q. Now that you cannot win the championship, does that meant you will be more aggressive on the track than the men still fighting for the title?

FM: "Oh yeah, of course. My position is clearly defined and I want to fight for the win. I have no problems taking more risks and being more aggressive than my rivals. I know they are fighting for themselves and I am going to do the best I can to try and win."

Q. What would be the summary of your year?

FM: "I think it was a very good year and a good championship for myself. We didn't make it at some of the races and of course the championship turned out to be a bit different than expected. But it was a good year, and a special year. I was strong and was able to win races. It was a good year."

Q. What are your comments on the McLaren spy saga?

FM: "I think it was something that was really bad that happened - going to court and things like that. But there are regulations in the sport and if you don't comply with them then you have to be punished, otherwise it would be a free for all."

Q. Do you think McLaren benefited from the information they got?

FM: "If you have a competitive car like Ferrari, which was the most competitive car in the first race, and you are one or two tenths behind and then you get some information and then you know their strategy then it can help."

Q. Do you think the Interlagos circuit will suit McLaren?

FM: "It is difficult to know right now. We know the track is not bad for the Ferrari car, but we cannot be sure 100 percent who will be more competitive. In my mind both teams will fight until the bitter end but has the extra tenths is difficult to tell."

Q. What is your situation this weekend? Are you able to fight for the win, or do you just have to help Kimi?

FM: "We know it is not an easy situation. It is complicated. To gain seven points in one race is a lot and but he situation does not only depend on my and Kimi, but also McLaren as well.

"If Kimi is first and I am second and McLaren are third then it is pointless because Kimi wouldn't be champion. It depends on McLaren and if one McLaren is fourth with another car in between them then that will definitely help our situation."