Formula 1

Felipe Massa: “It is a very important race to finish in the top ten”

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The Williams F1 Team will head to Abu Dhabi sitting in a strong third place in the Constructors’ Championship, but neither Felipe Massa nor Valtteri Bottas will be taking anything for granted, with Ferrari 44 points behind and with double points on offer in the desert.

After an emotional podium finish in front of his home fans at Interlagos, Massa moves onto Abu Dhabi hopeful of a good points haul in Abu Dhabi, insisting its important to score with those double points taking effect.

“Being the final race of the season and with double points it is a very important race to finish in the top ten,” said Massa. “The track is like a street-circuit in one sector with slow corners and barriers quite close, and then a traditional circuit in the other with very long straights and flowing corners.

“We race in the evening but practice during the heat of the day, so to adapt the car towards cooler conditions is important, it can save a lot of time if you get this right.“

Team-mate Bottas struggled to tenth in Brazil after issues with his seat belts and pit stops, but is focused on fighting Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel for fourth in the Drivers’ Championship as well as helping Williams secure third place in the Constructors’ Championship.

“Abu Dhabi is going to be an exciting race and it could play out one of two ways,” revealed Bottas. “The double points could be interesting and we will try and play it to our advantage.

“We have been trying to secure our position in the championship and so continue to focus on this, but I can still finish fourth in the Drivers’ Championship I will focus on this as well.

“It’s a nice place to go to, the temperature is warm, the people are friendly and the facilities good so I am looking forward to the race.”

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