Felipe Massa credits new set-up direction for return to form during 2012 F1 season

The Brazilian endured a dismal start to the season, but finished a strong sixth in Monaco and salvaged a point in Canada after a spin.

He admits that he is now more comfortable with the Ferrari F2012.

"I think so, not totally but certainly we are working in a different way" he is quoted as saying on the Ferrari website in response to being asked if he is going in a different direction to Alonso.

"Every driver has his own style, the way he turns the steering wheel, or uses the throttle pedal and if you don't feel comfortable with something then it definitely doesn't help.

"When something is not working for you, you move away from the right direction and lose performance, as you are not operating at 100% yourself."

Massa added that improvements to the F2012, which have turned it from also-ran into a regular frontrunner, have also played their part in his turnaround.

He admits that the changes to the handling of the car have helped his driving.

"I'm much happier, because I can drive the F2012 much more in the way I like now. This means I am much more pleased with my driving, and with the balance of the car and the pace I can run at.

"When that happens, of course, you feel good and for sure, all the modifications and updates introduced on the car helped in this process. But also important was the way we worked on the set-up with my engineers.

"We changed many things in terms of the balance and found a good direction that suits me."