Felipe Massa optimistic of securing new Ferrari deal

The Brazilian has been under pressure this season to lift his game and produce the kind of points-scoring finishes that his team needs for constructors' championship positions.

And, on the back of a lift in his form since the Monaco Grand Prix, and a season-best fourth place finish in Britain, Massa feels that if he continues making progress then his future should take care of itself.

"I'm confident," Massa was quoted as saying by Associated Press after an FIA road safety seminar in Sao Paulo. "Even though the results have not been good, the performances were better. Now we need to have a clean race so the result can be positive in the end."

He added: "In the end the result is what matters the most. That's what's crucial for every driver. I'll need to stay prepared and finish the races well to try to have better results in the second half of the year."

Massa revealed that he had opened talks with Ferrari, which has also been linked with a number of drivers this year including Sergio Perez, Paul di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg and Kimi Raikkonen.

"The discussions began a long time ago," said Massa. "But until there is a deal finalised, nothing changes."

Massa's team-mate Fernando Alonso has scored 164 points this year, while the Brazilian has just 25 to his name. Ferrari is currently fourth in the constructors' championship, three points behind Lotus and four behind McLaren.