Massa takes pole as Ferrari take front row in Monte Carlo

May 24, 2008, 16:20 GMT

Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Ferrari steers his car on the track during the Qualifying session for the F1 Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, Monaco, 24 May 2008. The Formula One Grand Prix of Monaco will take place on 25 May 2008. EPA/BERTRAND GUAY / POOL

Monte Carlo - Brazilian Felipe Massa took his third pole position of the season as he led a Ferrari one-two in Saturday's qualifying for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

Massa needed 1 minute 15.787 seconds for the track that winds itself through the streets of Monte Carlo for 3.340 kilometer, beating his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen by just .028 seconds.

The Brazilian's performance was even more remarkable as he said before the qualifying that he does not like the track. 'I cannot believe it, it is unbelievable.

'I managed to put everything together, but I still can't believe that I am on pole.'

The McLaren-Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will start from the second row on the grid after finishing third and fourth respectively, while BMW-Sauber driver Robert Kubica was fifth.

Hamilton said that he was surprised how strong the Ferraris were. 'We did a solid job and we were surprised by the Ferrari pace.

'I am quite happy with the way the session went, I had no problem with traffic. I strung together two solid laps and am happy with strategy that we chose.'

Williams' Nico Rosberg continued his excellent Monte Carlo form by taking sixth place on the grid. 'I am hoping that Kubica went into the session very light on fuel and that will allow me to take him.'

Fernando Alonso in a Renault, Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Mark Webber in a Red Bull took the next three places.

Red Bull's David Coulthard, who qualified for the final session, crashed towards the end of the second session and could not compete in the final session - giving him tenth place on the grid.

The last Ferrari driver to win from pole in Monte Carlo was South African Jody Scheckter, who won in 1979 and also went on to win the drivers' championship that year.

'It would be unbelievable to win the race. It is already a fantastic day, but to win would make it even more special,' Massa said.

German BMW driver Nick Heidfeld failed to qualify for the top ten for the first time this season and will start the race from 13th position. 'I think I know why things are not going well, but I will not mention the reasons as I do not want them to sound like an excuse.

'It will be very difficult to do well in the race and my best chance is probably if it rains.'

Ahead of the sixth race of the season on Sunday, Raikkonen leads the drivers' standings on 35 points, with Massa and Hamilton following on 28 apiece.

Ferrari lead the constructors' standings with 63 points, 19 more than BMW-Sauber and 21 more than McLaren.