Massa: constructors' title not devalued

McLaren were leading the teams' standings by 23 points before the FIA World Motor Sport Council removed them from the contest as part of the punishment for their involvement in the spying affair.

Ferrari's subsequent one-two finish in the Belgian Grand Prix then effectively clinched the title for the Italian team. Once McLaren announced that they would not appeal against the WMSC verdict, Ferrari were confirmed as constructors' champions.

Writing in his official Ferrari blog, Massa said McLaren's punishment did not detract from Ferrari's achievement.

"If we have won the championship because another team has not followed the rules, then we can say that at least we did follow those rules and we won," he said.

"I feel the whole team deserves this for the job they have done so far this year. As part of the Scuderia, I am pleased with this result, even if it would have been better to win in a different way, but the final outcome is another constructors' title.

"The team, at the track and in the factory, has done a fantastic job, fighting hard all through the year and so they deserve this success."

Massa added that he was pleased McLaren chose not to launch an appeal, and suggested that this was an admission of improper behaviour on their part.

"My personal feeling is that the others probably realised it would not be a good idea to appeal," he said.

"Usually, in any sport, if you do something wrong you have to pay the penalty and I think the decision that they did do something wrong is reinforced as being correct exactly by the fact they did not appeal.

"Ask me if it is a fair punishment, if it is enough, then that is difficult to say, but at least they are paying for their mistakes."