Massa: A dream come true

[Plex]

Istanbul - Brazilian Felipe Massa realised a dream on Sunday as he led from start-to-finish to win the Turkish Grand Prix.

Massa roared to his first win as Ferrari teammate and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher was foiled in his bid to find a way past championship leader Fernando Alonso.

"Thank you boys, thank you," shouted Massa, punching the air in delight at a result that he could barely have expected when he and undisputed team number one Schumacher had lined up together on the front row of the grid.

"I think it is just fantastic," said a tearful Massa. "I have been working so hard in my whole career to get this moment and it is just amazing. I am really happy and really emotional. This is a fantastic day for me.

"It's like a dream come true. These two guys (Alonso and Schumacher) had already done this and this is my first time. It is like a dream come true.

"I always dreamed to be a Ferrari driver and winning my first race for Ferrari is definitely something special for me. The team is happy because we have been doing a good job this year.

Very good start


The Brazilian was quick off the line and held off his German teammate in the first part of the race before keeping the Spanish defending champion behind in the middle stint.

"It was a very good start," he added. "A very good first lap and the car was just well balanced during the whole race. Even after the safety car I could manage to pull away in a good way and not too aggressive on the car and it was just very good.

"Every set of tyres, every part of the race the car was just responding in a fantastic way and I could keep the gap and drive not very aggressively during the whole race."

He added: "This will take a while to sink in. This is just amazing. When you do all your career looking to get to F1 and win your first race when you get there is just amazing.

"I am really happy to be here with this incredible team who gave me a fantastic car. I am going to enjoy this a lot."

Still has a chance to win


Massa said he still felt Schumacher can win the drivers' title for an extraordinary eighth time.

"The championship is still open. There are four races to go, you never know what can happen.

"Michael still has a chance to win the championship and the team have a big chance. We need to focus on this target and try to do the best we can.

"I was being caught by Michael, but Michael lost the position on the pit-stop. The safety car was not very useful for us today. I was sorry for Michael because he was behind Fernando, but we have a great relationship.

"Now we look at the next four races to put both cars in the front. I was open to let Michael win the championship. That is not news."

Schumacher said he felt he could still overcome Alonso despite the Renault driver extending his lead.

"We can see that Felipe and myself were very strong," said Schumacher. "If we can maintain that without having unfortunate situations like the safety car in the wrong moment, we could both be in front and if I could manage to be in front of Fernando then you can calculate what it means."

Source: http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/NewsPics/0,,1369-1375_1989112,00.html