After a slow start to the season, Ferrari's Felipe Massa goes into Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix looking for a third straight win which could put him on top of the driver's standings.
The Brazilian driver seemed confident that his car was up to the job after Thursday's practice sessions but he also admitted that the tight inner-city track in Monte Carlo often confounded the best laid plans.
"You always have to drive right at your limit and the walls are very close," he said.
The challenges of the track were underlined when championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who has a three-point advantage over Massa, crashed into a wall of tyres on one of his fast practice laps.
The young Briton emerged unhurt but the collision tore the front-left wheel and suspension from his car.
Massa has avoided similar errors so far this year, showing a maturity in his driving that has prompted some pundits to cite him as a realistic contender for the 2007 title.
The 25-year-old acknowledged this week that his 'cooler' head is largely to do with the experience he gained last year under the wing of seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher.
"I used to think that every lap had to be driven as fast as possible. I wanted to get 110% out of the car all the time. I have learnt with experience that some laps can be crucial but there are others in which you have to think about other things, like the car, strategy or getting a clear vision of the race".
In what could be a good omen for Massa, Schumacher appeared in the Ferrari paddock on Thursday for the first time this season. The German, who now acts as a 'super-consultant' to the team, usually watches Grand Prix practice and races from his home.
'KNIFE BETWEEN TEETH'.
Despite looking like the man of the moment, Massa said the Monaco race - like the entire championship contest - would have at least four contenders.
These were himself, Hamilton and their respective team-mates: Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who won here in 2005, and reigning world champion Fernando Alonso.
"In a race like this everyone will be there with a knife between their teeth. Anything can happen. There isn't a favourite in this Grand Prix".
Massa's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen also needs a good result in Monaco to stay in title contention after scoring no points two weeks ago when an electrical problem put him out of the Spanish race.
That left him on 22 points, five behind Massa and in danger of drifting out of the leading group unless he starts piling up points again quickly.
The Finn, who said he had sorted out the problem that stymied his race in Barcelona, made a good start on Thursday by clocking the second fastest time in practice.
"Things are going better with my F2007 now. The contest is finely balanced, both on the track and in the standings. I'm confident I can make up the ground."
