Ferrari president impressed with Massa

"I've been very impressed by Massa's fine performance in testing. He will be one of the main players in the championship," di Montezemolo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Di Montezemolo's comments come after Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone stated that Massa was the favourite to win this year's title.

"Ferrari have worked very strongly. And Schumacher was already in the last years like a team manager of Ferrari, and he will use his power to help Massa this year," Ecclestone told Bild in an interview.

Massa, a two-time winner, begins his second season at Ferrari with Kimi Raikkonen as his teammate.

The Brazilian has been very fast in winter testing, with his team considered to be favourites for victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

"Everyone sees us as favourites this season. We hope they're right, but in any case we are in very good shape," added di Montezemolo.

"I don't like the excessive levels of optimism I hear about Ferrari and about our performances, which in the last tests have appeared particularly significant.

"Two days ago I spent the entire day at Maranello, and with (Jean) Todt and the rest of the boys we agreed that we must keep our feet firmly on the ground.

"The true levels of performance will be seen in Australia. It's clear there's a will to win, and we'll always count on that."