Felipe Massa 'happier than expected' at Williams F1 team

The Brazilian has joined the Grove-based after eight years at Ferrari, and had nothing but praise for his new team following his initial experience.

The Williams FW36 appears to be a big step forward over its predecessor, and the team's switch to Mercedes power seems to have paid off, with the German car manufacturer having such a positive start to testing.

Massa had considered several options after being dropped by Ferrari, and now is convinced he made the right choice judging by his early taste of Williams.

"I am happy with the change I made," he explained. "It was in the direction that I expected.

"Williams is a professional team, a team that can do a very good job in F1. It is a team that is not there to fight at the back but at the front.

"It is something that makes me even happier than I expected."

Although there have been some early reliability niggles, Massa said that he has seen nothing that worries him so far.

"We didn't do as many laps as we expected to do, because unfortunately many times you have little issues that it takes a lot of time to change and to go out," he explained. "But I would say it is pretty normal.

"I think other people are struggling more than what we are struggling, but I am happy with things.

"I am happy with the first feeling, the first impression with the team, the first feeling of driving the car, the engine, the car itself, the tyres, gearbox, everything. And I am really happy."