Massa calls for high-profile tests

In a bid to slash budgets, in-season testing has been banned this year. But ahead of the Formula One Teams' Association announcing its vision for the future of Formula One in Geneva tomorrow, Massa has suggested that race distances should be reduced and Friday practice scrapped altogether instead of the testing ban.

He believes that having a proper opportunity for development testing during the championship season is more important than the additional race weekend action, but that tests should only be reinstated if they are major events and count towards the title race.

"I have some ideas - that maybe the races could be slightly shorter, because in the last 15 laps nobody cares about the race anymore," Massa told reporters during testing at Jerez.

"That Friday is not so important for the show, so you can use the Saturday morning, and take away the Friday, and do two, three or four (test) sessions during the season, not together, separated, making a testing championship.

"Maybe the winner has a bonus for the championship, or whatever you want to give."

Massa thinks these tests would be more acceptable to the teams if the sessions had a higher profile and offered better promotional returns.

"You could have a lot more sponsors following the testing, and also a more interesting championship," he said.

"You would have a lot more media coverage of testing and it would be very interesting for everyone. Maybe a nice practice in the morning and then a big qualifying (style session) in the afternoon."

He believes it is important for drivers to also have input into F1's future direction.

"I think if everybody has an opinion and suggests ideas, all together we can make a good championship," said Massa.