Massa takes pole position for Malaysian Grand Prix

Apr 7, 2007, 12:45 GMT

Brazilian Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa of Scuderia Ferrari drives his car during the Qualifying session at the Sepang circuit near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday 07 April 2007. Felipe Massa clocked the fastest time in the Qualifying session, Alonso took second and Raikkonen third place on the grid. The Formula One Grand Prix of Malaysia will take place at the Sepang circuit near Kuala Lumpur on Sunday 08 April. EPA/AHMAD YUSNI

Sepang Malaysia - Ferrari's Felipe Massa took pole position for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang after posting the fastest time in Saturday's qualifying session.

The Brazilian registered a time of 1 minute 35.043 seconds on the 5.543-kilometre circuit to make up for the disappointment in the opening race of the season in Australia, where he was forced to start from the back of the grid due to engine trouble.

'I'm quite happy,' said Massa afterwards. 'I'm not supposed to start on the back of the grid. Here, things look a little bit different.'

Defending world champion Fernando Alonso in a McLaren-Mercedes was second fastest in 1:35.310 followed by Australian GP winner Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari in 1:35.479 minutes.

'To be in the front row for the second consecutive race is good news for us,' said Alonso. 'Hopefully we can complete the job tomorrow.'

Alonso's team-mate Lewis Hamilton was fourth and Massa admitted that Ferrari's main challenge in Sunday's race would come from the McLaren quarter.

'Fernando and Lewis showed that they are very competitive,' he said.

Germany's Nick Heidfeld in a BMW-Sauber continued his impressive start to the 2007 season by claiming fifth place on the grid.

Nico Rosberg in a Williams took sixth with Robert Kubica in the second BMW-Sauber seventh fastest.

The Toyotas of Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher start from eighth and ninth, respectively.

Renault had a disappointing qualifying session with last year's winner Giancarlo Fisichella and new team-mate Heikki Kovalainen both failing to qualify for the final qualifying round.

Honda's poor start to the season continued as Rubens Barrichello was eliminated after the first session, registering the 19th fastest time. Jenson Button in the second Honda qualified down in 15th place.