Felipe Massa says 2013 F1 opening '10 times better' than last year

After outqualifying team-mate Fernando Alonso for the third event running in Australia, and only losing out to him on strategy in the race, Massa is delighted with his return to form.

When asked about how he felt compared to 12 months ago, Massa said: "10 times better.

"The way I started the season last year is impossible to compare to the way I've started the season now. I feel much better in the car.

"I feel much more like I'm driving the car in an automatic direction. I feel much more comfortable and much more relaxed.

"I think the situation is much better. It's much more positive."

Although Ferrari is under no illusions that Red Bull has started the season with the fastest car, Massa thinks there are indications that his outfit has done a great job too.

"I'm not comparing with the cars at the front, Red Bull for example, I'm comparing with the cars behind like Force India and Williams," he explained.

"We were starting some races behind Force India and Williams last year, and the difference between us and these teams in qualifying [last weekend] was quite good.

"This shows that we made a big step forward compared to last year.

"Red Bull has made a good step as well, but it shows our job to prepare this car was really good, better and in the right direction."