Massa predicts strong race in Monaco

"It will not be an easy race this weekend and we can expect McLaren to be strong as usual, although I think we can be on the pace too," said Massa on Ferrari's website.

"But we have to wait and see what happens on Thursday because it is difficult to say what we can expect from ourselves and the opposition.

"Even if we ran on the short track at Ricard, designed to simulate some aspects of Monaco, it still is not the real thing. Monaco is unique and impossible to recreate exactly the same track characteristics, so there are some unknown factors going into the weekend.

"In general, I think the Scuderia is in better shape than it was before this race twelve months ago. I hope so as well! But you never know.

"Last year, even though I finished on the podium in third place, it was not what I would consider a good race because we were a long way off the pace of the McLaren, so I am looking forward to being stronger this year."

The Monte Carlo race was dominated by McLaren last season, as Ferrari struggled to match the pace of their vials on a track that hasn't suited their cars in recent times.

Ferrari last won in Monaco 2001.

Massa, currently in second place in the standings behind teammate Kimi Raikkonen, admits the street track is not among his favourites, but he is still thinks Ferrari can be competitive.

"I have to admit that this is not one of my favourite circuits," he said. "In terms of driving pleasure, I prefer the fast flowing places like Turkey, Bahrain and Barcelona for example.

"But that does not mean we cannot be strong here. We will prepare as well as possible and try and bring home as many points as possible. You always find tracks you like more than others, but this does not mean you cannot be competitive at those you are not so keen on."