Massa knows he's competitive

Sakhir - Felipe Massa's qualifying performance confirmed what the Ferrari driver always knew: He's still competitive despite missing the end of last season because of a near-death crash.

Massa will start Formula One's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix behind pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull after an impressive first competitive drive since a freak crash at July's Hungarian GP.

Massa says "it's always nice when you come back and you are competitive and that's what I expected."

Vettel paid tribute to Massa, giving "big respect to what he has achieved. It's good to have him back."

Massa edged new Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso, who starts third as the Italian team had its best qualifying effort in three years.