Diplomatic Massa hoping for change of luck

MELBOURNE, March 17 (Reuters) Ferrari's Felipe Massa tried hard to conceal his envy at seeing new team mate Kimi Raikkonen take pole position for tomorrow's Australian Grand Prix, but the Brazilian was convincing no one.

Massa, the man tipped by many, including Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, to win this year's title, was left cursing a faulty gearbox in today's qualifying session and will start with the also-rans back in 16th place on the grid.

''I'm supposed to be there (at the front with Raikkonen), it's good for Ferrari, good for him to be on pole, but unfortunately we just have one car at the front,'' the 25 year-old told reporters.

''I will be trying to help myself, he had a good day today hopefully I can finish close to him.'' Albert Park must rapidly be becoming the likeable Brazilian's least favourite circuit after another promising weekend came unstuck with an unfortunate qualifying session.

Impressive in every practice stint so far, Massa failed to finish a lap in the second qualifying cavalry charge and will start tomorrow's season opener 15 places behind his deadpan Finnish team mate.

He endured a similarly torrid weekend in his debut year in 2006 here when a mechanical failure left him 15th on the grid and his race was over before the first lap when he became the unwitting sandwich in a three-car crash.

But Massa, who quietly claimed two wins in 2006 while then team mate Michael Schumacher bade farewell, is confident he can surge through the field.

''The best possible is to try and pass as many cars as possible. It would be a dream to finish on the podium but it's possible,'' said Massa, who is aiming for back-to-back wins after his triumph in Brazil at the end of last season.

''Maybe we can be lucky with the strategy for the tyres, anything is possible.

''We've got to work hard tonight to have a reliable car tomorrow for the race. It will be very tough for sure especially starting at the back in Australia is really difficult.

''Maybe we have some strange things in the race that can help.'' Ferrari confirmed the gearbox problem had been picked up in yesterday's free practice and was replaced for today's qualifying, only for the problem to re-occur.

''There is disappointment because of the gearbox problem that affected Felipe,'' team boss Jean Todt said. ''Up to that point he had driven impeccably all weekend.'' REUTERS SAM BST1238