'Nothing more we can ask for'

VALENCIA // Despite an enquiry into the 'unsafe pit release' by the Ferrari crew, the eventual winner Felipe Massa was happy to claim his 13th pole at the inaugural Valencia Street Circuit yesterday. "It's amazing," said Massa after his fourth win of the season and ninth of his career. "To come here to a new track... we did a fantastic job. It was really difficult to choose the right tires, especially in qualifying, but we did a perfect job in that and then making the pole position, winning the race and making the fast lap. There is nothing more we can ask for."

Hamilton, who also struggled with his car in Hungary, was pleased with getting the eight points, particularly after admitting a surprise as he revealed: "I've had a few problems health-wise, but I've pulled through. "It was a hot weekend and I didn't have enough water. It was like driving in a sauna, but I'm pretty happy with the way I've come through it. "The team has got some solid points, me and Heikki, and it has been a solid weekend for us."

In another pit lane incident, Raikkonen tried to pull out with his fuel hose still attached and ran into a team mechanic, but the man appeared to escape without serious injuries. "We still have to work very hard because today we had other problems with Kimi, and another one in the garage, but our mechanic is fine," Massa said. "To get pole, take the win and have the fastest lap, you can't do any more. I am so glad and happy after the disaster in Hungary." Massa also won in Bahrain, Turkey and France this season.

On the incident with Sutil, he added: "It was a shame to fight with him in the pit lane. I had to back off and I lost time, but fortunately it was not too much." Enjoying his first podium since his win in Canada in early June, Kubica said: "It's third, but quite far away from the top two. But the key was yesterday in qualifying. It was an amazing performance." * Agencies