Results from qualifying for the Malaysia Grand Prix:
1. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 1:35.7482. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:36.230
3. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) McLaren 1:36.613
4. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren 1:36.709
5. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota 1:36.711
6. Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 1:36.727
7. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 1:36.753
8. Mark Webber (Australia) Red Bull 1:37.009
9. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:38.450
10. Timo Glock (Germany) Toyota 1:39.656
11. Jenson Button (Britain) Honda 1:35.208
12. David Coulthard (Britain) Red Bull 1:35.408
13. Nelson Piquet (Brazil) Renault 1:35.562
14. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Honda 1:35.622
15. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Toro Rosso 1:35.648
16. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams 1:35.670
17. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Force India 1:36.240
18. Kazuki Nakajima (Japan) Williams 1:36.388
19. Sebastien Bourdais (France) Toro Rosso 1:36.677
20. Takuma Sato (Japan) Super Aguri 1:37.087
21. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India 1:37.101
22. Anthony Davidson (Britain) Super Aguri 1:37.481
 Massa took his 10th career pole in Malaysia |
Brazilian Massa recorded a flying lap of 1:35.748 with world champion Raikkonen 0.482 seconds adrift.
McLaren never looked like matching the pace of the Ferraris and Heikki Kovalainen settled for third ahead of British team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Jarno Trulli took a surprise fifth for Toyota ahead of the two BMW Saubers.
The newly-laid track in Sepang suited the Ferraris and Massa repeated last year's feat by taking pole again.
The Brazilian was comfortably clear of the field and his team-mate Raikkonen and was pleased to take pole after a disastrous opening Grand Prix in Australia, where he was forced to retire from the race.
"I managed to put it all together in the third session and do a great lap," Massa said.
"What happened in the last race was incredible. We had a lot of problems and after a great winter it was not expected.
 | I have to find out where I'm losing time because I'm quite a long way off the Ferraris Lewis Hamilton |
"So our championship starts now and hopefully we will be quick and consistent."
It was his Ferrari team-mate Raikkonen who actually set the fastest lap during qualifying of 1:34.188.
But that was in the second session when the car was running without race fuel and the Finn was unhappy not to be able to repeat his form when grid positions were settled in the final run.
"I was not happy with the last session because I just couldn't get any grip," he said.
"But second is a good place to start and the car is good. It will be a long, hot race but I'm looking forward to it."
Hamilton, looking to replicate the successes of his opening weekend in Melbourne where he took pole and the race victory, also struggled with his grip during qualifying.
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The Briton seemed uncomfortable with his McLaren and was not helped when he got caught up behind a Toyota on the home straight of his final run.
"There wasn't much grip in the third session and I struggled to find it," he commented.
"The set-up isn't where I want it to be. We changed some things today and I'm not sure that was the right way to go.
"I have to find out where I'm losing time because I'm quite a long way off the Ferraris so it will be interesting.
"I wouldn't say we're on the back foot for the race but they have a very good car and we have to stay positive and go out and get some good points."
Hamilton's team-mate Kovalainen starts third on the grid for the second race running after another solid performance in qualifying.
 Hamilton was unhappy with his car's set-up in Sepang |
The Finn took third in 1:36.613, almost 0.4secs quicker than Hamilton.
"We had nothing more to give," said Kovalainen. "Third place was the maximum that we could achieve but we are on a good track now and still in a good position."
It was also a satisfying session for Trulli as the one-lap specialist got the best out of his Toyota to take fifth.
The question now will be whether the experienced Italian can provide the Japanese team with some consistency over the race distance.
Robert Kubica finished sixth ahead of BMW Sauber team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who complained after the race that he was blocked by both McLarens.
"The McLarens were in front at turn four, in the middle of the racing line and I lost some time," he said.
"I lost two tenths and I think that would have put me third. From my point of view it was not correct what they did but what can you do now?"
Mark Webber qualified ninth for Red Bull ahead of Fernando Alonso, who dragged his Renault round to the best of his ability.
Jenson Button took 11th in his Honda, just behind Toyota's Timo Glock, with team-mate Rubens Barrichello in 14th.
"It was a good session and I'm happy with the way it went," said Button. "Position 11 through sheer speed is not too bad."
David Coulthard was given the green light to run his Red Bull after proving his car was safe to drive after a troublesome practice session on Friday when he suffered suspension damage.
The Scot will start Sunday's race behind fellow Briton Button in 12th.
But there was disappointment for Nico Rosberg, who took an excellent third place in Australia. The German could only qualify his Williams in 16th place.
source:bbc.co.uk
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