Massa meets the press - 3rd August 20:06pm GMT

Felipe Massa met the media this afternoon, just a couple of days after leaving them in Hockenheim, the major difference being that, contrary to expectation, it seems that the Budapest weekend might be a much cooler affair than last week's race. The temperatures are in the low twenties, and rain drops could be heard falling on the roof of the Ferrari Media Motorhome, as the Brazilian faced the press, starting with his thoughts for this Sunday. "In the last three races we have shown we are very competitive and it would be nice to continue like that this weekend."

The weekend looks like being much cooler than at the past few races, so did Massa feel the Scuderia might lose some of its current advantage. "Temperature has little to do with it," reckoned the Brazilian. "For example, we saw in Canada that it was very hot but the opposition worked very well. It is just a case of bringing the right tyres for the right track. I hope this weekend will be another chance for me to get pole for the first time. I will be aiming to start from the front again and have a really good race in order to close the gap for Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship."

Massa refused to be phased by all the rumours regarding his future with Ferrari. "It does not bother me. There have been so many rumours since I started with Ferrari, so I am used to that and I take no notice. For the moment we are working together and I am very happy with the way we are working. So, for the time being everything is still open and undecided and in the short term, I know my role is very important for both championships. We have improved a great deal over the season. Looking back at the first three races, we had a difficult time. Now we have a car that is very reliable and much improved from every point of view. We never stopped working and the result is that we have grown a lot over the past three races. And not just the car. I feel very good right now and feel that I am improving with every race and I hope that goes on. Also my relationship with Michael continues to grow and I enjoy that, even if I have actually never had any problems with my team mates."

And the final question: can Schumacher win the Drivers' crown? "I think Michael can do it," affirmed Massa. "It will definitely be tough as has been the whole season so far, but he has a definite chance of winning it."