Massa thrilled with front-row return

Date published : 13 Mar 2010 - 13:31:00

Felipe Massa was he was delighted to start his first grand prix back from injury from the front row - not only because it proved he was straight back on the pace, but because it underlined Ferrari's winter turnaround.The Italian squad wrote off the second half of 2009 to concentrate on mounting a major resurgence this year, and that effort has paid off so far, with Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso second and third in Sakhir qualifying."If you look what happened to us, where we finished last season, it is a good start for us," said Massa."It's great for the guys, who did a very tough job inside the factory for a long time."But he said the most poignant part of the result was that he had made such a strong comeback after the enforced absence caused by his Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying crash - which some feared might end his career."I think it's very nice to be back here racing and competitive and in a good direction," said Massa."I feel happy to be back after such a difficult time."I was watching races on television, which was pretty exciting, but much better to be inside the car!"Although Ferrari has looked strong throughout winter testing - particularly in race trim - Massa is not underestimating the strength of its rivals, especially polesitter Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull."For sure Red Bull and some others teams are really strong," Massa noted."So the race will be difficult but I am very happy to be here fighting for top."