Massa powers to the top of podium

Massa won Sunday’s race in 1 hour, 33 minutes, 27.515 seconds. Hamilton was 2.360 seconds behind.

On a hazy day with swirling winds changing track conditions over the circuit, Massa was on pole and led virtually all the way, just dropping out of first on the two pits stops. Two-time defending world champion Fernando Alonso was fifth, creating a three-way tie in the drivers’ standings. Alonso, Hamilton and Raikkonen each have 22 points, but Alonso and Raikkonen have both won already this season. Massa is next with 17 points.

Massa had mistakes from the pole at the last race. He was overtaken to the first turn by Alonso and Hamilton and then dropped to fifth after going off the track trying to pass Hamilton on the sixth lap. This time he held first through the first turn with Hamilton and Alonso second and third.

However, an accident between Jenson Button and Scott Speed brought out the safety car for two laps and Massa could not break free in the slower pace. The cars went back up to speed on the fourth lap and the top four drew away from the rest of the field.

After 10 laps, Massa led by about a second over Hamilton, and Alonso was holding off Raikkonen.

There were no changes among the top eight until the first pit stops, when the complexion of the race changes. Hamilton started things at the end of lap 19. Massa, Alonso and Raikkonen followed a lap apart.