Massa boosted by Ferrari's reliability

Massa's title charge last season was hindered by mechanical problems, and Ferrari have worked hard in order to avoid a repeat with the new F2008.

The Brazilian says all the problems that had hampered their winter testing in previous years seem to be gone.

He told Autosprint magazine: "Last year, and also two years ago, we always had plenty of mechanical problems in the first tests. Minor things, because both cars were excellent. But you'd get those gremlins and you had to sort them out and change approach.

"And then, at the following test, the problem wasn't there anymore but was somewhere else. It was a bit of an uncomfortable situation.

"Touch wood, but this car seems a lot more reliable. We are doing well now, we've done plenty of running with the two cars. And we can still make a step forward because there are many developments in the works."

Massa finished in fourth place in last year's standings, while teammate Kimi Raikkonen went on to take the title.

And although Massa concedes the title may give Raikkonen a psychological edge this year, the Brazilian feels he is in a strong position to fight for the championship in 2008.

"There's always an advantage when you win something, as it happened to me when I won my first race," he said. "But from a performance point of you we are equal: to become world champion you need everything, luck too, and he had more than me.

"But this year I feel strong and motivated as ever because I know I have everything to fight on an equal footing."