Felipe Massa is determined to follow in some famous footsteps when he goes for World Championship glory in the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday. The 27-year-old hopes to place himself alongside Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and the late Ayrton Senna in becoming the fourth Brazilian to take the title.
Fittipaldi became the first Brazilian World Champion in 1972, before repeating his success two years later.Piquet won the title three times (1981, 1983 and 1987) with Senna matching his achievement with successes in 1988, 1990 and 1991.
Brazilian F1 fans have endured a relative drought since. However, all that could change this weekend when Massa takes to his home track of Interlagos on the outskirts of Sao Paulo.He also has the opportunity to claim the crown on home soil, a feat not achieved since Giuseppe Farina won the inaugural title in 1950 in front of his Italian fans.
Massa, who trails Lewis Hamilton by seven points going into the race, knows just how much it would mean to Brazil should he join his illustrious predecessors.The Ferrari driver, who was only 10 when Senna took his third title, said: "I remember Senna winning championships and fighting for some others in which he was also very competitive.
"As a Brazilian, Senna was like a kind of god here in Brazil, and before that there was Nelson's father (referring to Piquet junior, sat alongside him in Thursday's press conference)."I think we have a great country in terms of building drivers, and I would hope we can carry on with that story here."I would love to win the championship, that's why I'm here, that's what I'm working for."I'm doing my best to achieve my dreams, but also trying to keep up the nice story Brazil has in Formula One. It would be fantastic."
Expectations-With 100,000 of his fellow Paulistas cheering him on, the expectations on Massa are considerable, despite his status as title outsider.Massa, who won the Brazilian Grand Prix two years ago, has to finish in the top two on Sunday while hoping Hamilton endures the kind of misery he suffered at Interlagos a year ago.But despite the weight of expectation, he insists the fans are a help, not a hindrance.
"The Brazilian fans know how difficult my task is, but you know how fans are - they are very excited," he smiled."They try to push you, to put you in the best position, and it is quite a difficult position to be in."But they provide me with great motivation, great encouragement, and that is fantastic.
"If I go to restaurants, even if I'm in the street, people see me and congratulate me, and that has provided me with a lot of energy for this weekend."That's a great feeling, so it's great to be here, fighting for the championship in my home country, and also in a good position in my career."