Massa eyes ‘amazing’ Sochi podium from P4

Felipe Massa is targeting a podium finish in Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix from fourth on the grid, with the Brazilian saying this would be “an amazing result” for him and Williams.

Massa set the fifth fastest time in qualifying but will line up one spot higher courtesy of Sebastian Vettel’s five-place gearbox penalty.

After a somewhat disappointing start to its 2016 campaign, Williams is looking to turn the tide in Sochi, having brought a flurry of upgrades that have been delivering so far with Valtteri Bottas netting a front row start in the other FW38.

“I am going to try for the podium and if we can do it, it would be an amazing result,” Massa said.

“Valtteri managed to do a great lap to be in front. I was behind and couldn’t really put the lap 100 percent together. But the car should be competitive for the race.

“We are a bit lucky to gain positions from one Ferrari and one Mercedes [Lewis Hamilton did not take part in Q3 due to an ERS issue]. They are going to be strong on Sunday for sure, but we need to try to do everything we can so that maybe can be a good race for us.”

Asked about Williams’ return to form this weekend, Massa added: “I think it is the track, the cooler temperatures is good but we were also more competitive on the long runs on Friday. The track is good for us, so we just need to repeat in the race.”

Williams' latest visit to the podium stretched back to the 2015 Mexican Grand Prix with Bottas taking third, while Massa last stepped on the rostrum in Monza last season.

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