Massa: It's not too late for title bid

Ferrari has suffered its least most competitive start to a season since 1992, and the team has accepted that it must develop a diffuser similar to those used by Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota if it is to fight for race wins in 2009.

"For sure it won't be easy," said Massa in China. "We need to work very hard, we have some teams which have a different car. It won't be so easy to catch them but I think it can be possible.

"I hope it won't be so late. I hope it will be in good time to fight for the championship still or to win some races. But anyway we will not give up. We work very hard and I believe we can improve the car a lot."

Massa added that the recent Ferrari restructure, which has seen Chris Dyer promoted to team manager and Luca Baldisserri moved to a factory-based role tasked with co-ordinating efforts between the race squad and Maranello, was brought about by its need to fast-track developments on the F60.

"Well now with the diffuser is another reason to push very hard at home, to try to anticipate our new parts, and to try to anticipate the diffuser which is a way to improve the car in a big way," explained the Brazilian. "So that's why we changed our organisation a little bit.

"We need more pushing at home, we need also a good organisation on the track, that was the decision.

"The reaction (to the diffuser ruling) is that we need to try to work very hard to anticipate our floor, to try to bring as quick as possible. It won't be easy because it is hard work to do. But the reaction is that we need to work as quickly as possible to improve the car."

Despite his point-less start to the season, Massa said his motivation was as high as ever and that he was determined to help Ferrari get its season back on track.

"The motivation is still there," he said. "The motivation to improve the car, to work very hard together with the team to make the car grow as quick as possible and the motivation to score points and so... I am still motivated to start a better championship."