Massa: difficult to drive

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After enduring a disastrous British Grand Prix, Ferrari's Felipe Massa says he is looking forward to renewing his Championship bid in the second half of the season.

The Brazilian struggled in the wet conditions at Silverstone, Massa spinning on the opening lap and then on another four occasions before eventually finishing way down in 13th place.

Like team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, Massa's cause was not helped by a decision to stayed out on intermediate tyres when rivals changed to new sets, in the hope - correct as it transpired - that rain would continue to fall.

The result capped a miserable weekend for Massa who, despite setting the fastest time during the opening session of free practice on Friday, also suffered a heavy accident at Stowe corner.

Matters were hardly helped during qualifying on Saturday when problems changing his car's right rear wheel in the final session meant he could not improve upon his best time, the 27-year-old consequently starting the race ninth on the grid.

With Lewis Hamilton taking victory and Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen finishing fourth, the result means that all three are now tied for the lead of the Drivers' Championship.

Ups and downs

Nevertheless, given the ups and downs they have all gone through so far this year, Massa remains hopeful that his time will come once again.

"This Silverstone weekend is one to be wiped out. On Friday I had an accident, yesterday there was the problem in qualifying and today a series of mistakes at all levels," he said.

"We have to look ahead, because there is still a very long way to go in the Championship and once again, we've seen that it only takes one result to turn the situation around.

"After nine races I am in the lead in the classification and I have every chance to fight for the title all the way to the end.

Of his performance in Sunday's race, Massa added: "Today, I could hardly keep the car in a straight line and it was always very difficult to drive. Only after the last pit stop did things improve a bit, but by then I was a long way back.

"We have to do a good job in the forthcoming Hockenheim test to be as well prepared as possible for the German Grand Prix that takes place on the same track."