Massa desperate to erase the memories of 2011 Indian GP

October 25, 2012 04:37 pm | Updated 04:37 pm IST - Greater Noida

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil arrives at the Buddh International Circuit ahead of the Indian Formula One GP in Noida on Thursday.

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil arrives at the Buddh International Circuit ahead of the Indian Formula One GP in Noida on Thursday.

Felipe Massa did not have the best of current Formula One season but the Ferrari driver is determined to end the year on a high and feels some good results in the remaining four races would augur well for the Italian outfit in 2013.

After a poor start to the season, which saw him struggle to make the final part of qualifying and subsequently challenge for points during races, secured his first podium (second place) in 35 races at the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month. He followed it up with a fourth place finish in the subsequent race in Korea.

And riding on his resurgence in form, Massa is hoping for a double podium finish for Ferrari in this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit here.

“I am looking for some good results because the second part of the season is very important,” he told reporters during a promotional event.

“I have very good co-driver in Fernando Alonso, who is in the race for the championship title. We are a strong team and we work well together. But there is also healthy competition between us. I hope we both can win points for the team here.

“It’s my seventh year with Ferrari. I know I am not young now but I am really looking forward to carry on for Ferrari. I will try to do better in 2013,” said Massa.

On personal front, the upcoming Indian GP is of great significance for the Brazilian driver as he had to retire midway through the race last year with a broken left suspension after kissing too much of the kerb on Turn 8 of the BIC, and it later prompted the organisers to christen the kerb as the ‘Massa kerb’

“I didn’t have the great race here last year, but this year I am determined to do better,” he said.

“I hope the Massa kerb serves well for me in future.”

Massa’s optimism about a good result in this year’s Indian GP came from the fact that he did well in the last race in Korea, and according to him both the circuits are similar.

“I like the lay-out of this circuit. It’s a nice track to drive. It has interesting, high speed corners.

“I don’t think Buddh circuit is different than Korea. I did well in Korea and now want to do better here,” he signed off.

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