Brazil win 'very important' for Massa

Massa won the season-ending race for Ferrari to secure third place in the championship in his first season with the Italian squad alongside seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

The win at his home Grand Prix followed on from his maiden victory in Turkey earlier last year.

Massa reckons his second win showed that he deserved to stay at Ferrari. The Brazilian had a one-year contract with Ferrari.

"It was very important," said Massa of his win in Brazil. "The first thing, to be third in the championship because I was fighting for the top three.

"Secondly, to win the second race of my career in the same year, and thirdly to show the people who thought that I was the only driver available to drive for Ferrari and they would change again for this year that they were wrong.

"So I think to be more respected inside the F1 community. For sure, to get a lot more experience driving for a top team like Ferrari and also to show them what I can do. That was a great opportunity for me to win two races last year ­especially Brazil.

"My first Brazilian GP in a competitive car ­ it was very important to me."