Malaysian GP: Alonso says Massa's form a boost for Ferrari

Fernando Alonso believes increased competition from Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa is a boost for the whole team

Massa continued his return to form by outpacing Alonso for the fourth consecutive qualifying session to qualify second for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Although Alonso is Ferrari's clear number one, he welcomed the extra pace from his Brazilian team-mate.

"It is the best news for the team," said the 2005-06 world champion.

"We need to have a competition between the two drivers, to share information, and to compare and analyse all the data we have.

"This is only good news for the team. We push ourselves to our own limits."

Alonso also believes bad luck had previously prevented Massa showing his true pace.

"It is not the first time that we have very close competition," he said.

"It was very close the last three years as well, but it was not that close in terms of results because Felipe had some bad luck, some incidents, some mechanical problems."

Massa believes the strengths of the F138 have helped his improvement.

"I very much like the car I am driving this year," he said.

"Whenever you feel comfortable, you can do a good lap, you can use the car to the maximum.

"I know how quick I can be. I have showed it many times in the past. I believe in myself. Now the team and myself are going in a good direction."

After finishing second in the dry in Australia and qualifying third in the wet in Malaysia, Alonso also believes Ferrari will be competitive in all conditions.

"The car behaves really well in all conditions," he added. "We are not afraid of what is coming from the sky. Whatever arrives we will take it and be competitive."

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