Monte Carlo - Ferrari's Felipe Massa is hoping that Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix will herald a change of fortune for the Italian team.

Massa and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen are lying far off the pace ahead of the sixth race of the season in 12th and
13th place with just three points - 38 points behind BrawnGP driver Jenson Button.

"I'm very confident. I think we can do a good job. The last race we took a big step forward. We were very competitive during the race. I know we had a problem at the end of it but at least with the pace point of view we took a big step forward," Massa said.

"I hope our car can be as competitive as we were in the last race here. Also I hope we can have a very good race, start in a good shape and finish in a good shape."

Any team that is hoping to still mount a serious challenge on the title will have to do so soon, as BrawnGP, Red Bull and Toyota are in the process of building up a commanding lead.

For Ferrari success in Sunday's Grand Prix has become even more important after a Paris judge ruled that there was no reason to grant an urgent interdict against the controversial budget cap proposed by the president of motorsports' governing body FIA, Max Mosley.

Also hoping to challenge for a podium place Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, whose victory in China prevented Button from obtaining a clean sweep of five victories.

Vettel last year managed to race from 19th on the grid to fifth and is looking forward to racing on the circuit again.

He admits that he benefited from the conditions prevailing at last year's race. "Fortunately, it was a chaotic race with wet and dry conditions, so we survived.

"We were on a one stop strategy and able to catch a lot of cars and in the end score some points, so it was a very good race for us."

He says he is hoping to again do well. "It is always difficult to say and give a number but I think we have a very competitive car. We saw that the last five races.

"Also independently from the results I think the race was always very good and promising, so why should it change much for here. We have some new bits on the car, so if any they will help us I hope and we will be even stronger, so lets see."

He admits that driving on a street course like Monte Carlo brings many challenges. "You need to be very focussed. It is all about keeping your concentration up and in the end you need to push just as hard as on a normal circuit but you are not allowed to make any mistakes. It is a bit more spicy but I think that is the extra challenge around here."

Championship leader Button, who lives in the principality, said he was looking forward to the race.

"To go to Monaco with the lead in both the drivers and constructors championships is fantastic but we saw in Barcelona that the performance margins at the front are extremely close.

"There will be a lot of competitive cars fighting it out this weekend. My usual driving style is very smooth but I will have to change that a little bit to get the best out of the car here.

"You have to be aggressive around Monaco and not let the barriers intimidate you whilst obviously paying them due respect. Every time you take to the track, its a non-stop challenge which requires you to maintain absolute focus, concentration and precision."

Button said that he expected the qualifying session to be very important. "I think we will see a very exciting qualifying session on Saturday as grid position is so significant in Monaco.

"Its almost impossible to overtake once the race is underway so being at the front and getting a good start will be important for a successful weekend," the Briton said. (dpa)