Massa: Ferrari and Bridgestone improving

The Brazilian, who is joining the outfit from Sauber, claims he can already see notable improvements from tyre supplier Bridgestone which should help the outfit recover some of the pace they lost last season when they struggled with their rubber.

"Since the first tests in Vallelunga at the end of October, the tyres have definitely improved," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"You can really see the effort put in by the Japanese technicians. Undoubtedly this is also thanks to the new regulations, which now allow us to use softer compounds.

"For sure, however, you can't say that the fault for some terrible results last season was all down to the tyres. Likewise, it would be wrong to say that the improvements we have now are all thanks to the tyres."

Massa has also paid tribute to the way the Ferrari team have helped him settle into the team.

"I'm really happy about the relationship we've built with the technicians and the mechanics," he added. "Everyone is giving me a big hand, not only in setting up the car, but also in refining my driving style.

"How? For example by suggesting to me the best gear in which to go through a turn, or how to delay braking and take a different line. So, I'm building experience, and now I feel ready to race with Ferrari."