Vettel pays tribute to returnee Massa
Date published : 13 Mar 2010 - 13:39:20
Bahrain Grand Prix polesitter Sebastian Vettel paid tribute to Felipe Massa's performance at Sakhir after the Brazilian qualified alongside him on the front-row for his first race back since recovering from injury.Ferrari star Massa was competing in a qualifying session for the first time since suffering life-threatening head injuries at the Hungaroring last July when he was hit on the helmet by a loose spring from another car.After returning to fitness towards the end of last year, Massa enjoyed a strong pre-season testing programme and confirmed at Sakhir on Saturday he is just as quick as before by convincingly outqualifying his new double world champion team-mate Fernando Alonso.Speaking in the press conference after beating his Ferrari rival to pole by 0.141s, Vettel admitted he had huge respect for how Massa had come back.Obviously it is very, very difficult [to come back] well I don't know, you can ask him but from the outside big respect to what he's achieved, he said. First race he's back and bang, bang, bang [he's on the front row]It's good to have him back.Massa expressed his thanks to the German for the compliment, adding that it demonstrated the kind of respect the grid's current crop of drivers had for each other.I think it's just fantastic to here that definitely, he said.First of all congratulations [to Sebastian] for the pole I want to be in your place, but anyway I'm happy for you!It's just fantastic to hear that. I know we are here to compete for ourselves and race each other, but I think that the relationship and respect is something that goes over everything and I think every driver has a great relationship and a great respect.And it's really nice to hear that. After such a difficult time, a difficult accident, I'm here 100% ready to fight again and most of the people are happy, so that's really fantastic to hear.
