MONACO, May 24, 2008 (AFP) - Felipe Massa paid a rich tribute to fellow-Brazilian and inspiration Ayrton Senna after securing his first Monaco Grand Prix pole position on Saturday.

Twenty-four hours after Senna´s nephew Bruno Senna won the blue riband Monaco GP2 event in thrilling fashion, Massa took pole in equally dramatic style to set up the possibility of his first win on the barrier-lined roads of the world´s most glamorous street circuit.

"The support we have here this weekend for Brazil is something fantastic," said Massa.

"We appreciate it a lot and it means a lot. But to win here would be just amazing, even more amazing for me than taking his pole position.

"But to do what Ayrton did! That is another thing. He was just amazing here. He won six times and once he was one minute ahead of (Alain) Prost and he lost his concentration and hit the barrier.

"If not for that it would be seven wins. It was great for Bruno to win yesterday too, so now we have a chance for a wonderful weekend."

Massa will be seeking his first victory in Monte Carlo and Ferrari´s first win since German Michael Schumacher triumphed in 2001. It was Schumacher´s fifth and final Monaco win.

Ferrari have won in Monaco only three times in 26 years.

The last Ferrari driver to win from pole position was South African Jody Scheckter in 1979 on the way to his sole world championship.

The last Brazilian to win in Monaco was Senna, for McLaren, in 1993, slightly less than a year before his death at Imola in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Massa said: "I always have a good feeling about myself and I believe I can win the championship. It is true, I have said that I really don´t like this circuit, but I am amazed that I have done well and more surprised to take pole."

He added: "Let´s see what happens!"