Hamilton warns Massa about ‘mind games’
Ferrari's Massa earned pole position for the race but 22-year-old Hamilton, amid ever-intensifying hype about his sensational F1 debut in 2007, shares the front row with the Brazilian after their clash in Malaysia one week ago.
Massa on Thursday expressed no hard feelings about the Sepang incident but he warned Hamilton to not expect another open door on the opening lap.
"Lewis has been making good starts," said Massa, sitting alongside Hamilton in the post-qualifying press conference.
"But we gave him space. This time we know what he can do, so we won't give him room any more."
Asked if he'll do anything differently in this race, Massa added: "Yes, I'll be more aggressive."
Later, away from Massa in a massed swarm of reporters, Hamilton revealed that he thought the Brazilian was attempting a round of "mind games".
But the Briton, who a couple of years ago won a F3 race here at Sakhir, insisted: "His comments aren't intimidating. It makes no difference to me.
"I have to be aware that he's going to be more aggressive, but that could be a negative thing for him."