New 2017 F1 cars 'not easy' for Lance Stroll - Felipe Massa

Stroll returns to the cockpit at Barcelona later today hoping for a clean test, after suffering two spins and a crash which brought an early end to Williams's running last week.

With Massa having said it is vital this week's running is not compromised by further incidents, there will be an increased focus on the job that Stroll does.

But Massa says that the young Canadian is not in an easy situation because the increased downforce and grip produced by 2017's new rules have made things much tougher for new drivers to adapt.

"It would be easier to debut last year, where there was less downforce to manage and less physical stress for the driver," said Massa.

"These two aspects today are tougher. This one is not an easy car.

"I understand that for a young driver is not an easy situation.

"I remember when I was 18 years old, and I remember very well how many mistakes I made.

"We cannot forget that Lance is young, and has a long way to go."

Although Stroll's incidents ultimately forced Williams to lose valuable track time, Massa thinks it is wrong to pin the blame for problems entirely on his shoulders.

"If we see what happened last week, it was not only his fault," he said.

"The team lacked some spare parts - and, if we had them, probably the work programme would be completed.

"It's always possible to do a mistake. [On Tuesday] I also came off the track, and I prayed that I had not broken anything.

"I was fine, but I could have compromised the day.

"We must not start to criticise Lance, without giving him the time and tranquility necessary to make his way."