Massa: Ferrari stronger in Australia

Although Michael Schumacher has played down expectations ahead of Melbourne following the disappointing form in Malaysia, Massa is more bullish about the Maranello outfit's prospects.

The Brazilian believes that Ferrari's record in Melbourne of five wins in the last seven years points to the fact that the team are well-suited to the Albert Park circuit.

"I think we have a good car here for Australia," he said during a press conference in Melbourne on Wednesday. "Usually this is a circuit that was always good for Ferrari and good for our tyres as well.

"So we have a good chance to be even more competitive than we were in the first two grands prix."

Despite Massa's optimism, however, Schumacher remains cautious about Ferrari's prospects for this weekend - and he still believes the team's performance will be similar to what was experienced in the first two races of the season.

"I feel we will be somewhere between where we were in the first race in Bahrain and the last race in Malaysia - which wasn't so good for us but then wasn't so bad either," said Schumacher.

"It is a little difficult to anticipate the situation beforehand. It is a different character of track and the weather conditions could be quite variable down here. That could have quite an impact on the competitiveness of one or other teams."

The only guarantee for Schumacher is that he is likely to face continued pressure from Massa, who has insisted that he is out there to beat his German teammate rather than support him.

"Obviously you always want to do your best on the track," said Massa, who edged home in front of Schumacher in Malaysia. "I am sure that we both race to be first, but we work in a good direction as a team as well.

"I am sure Michael is trying his best, and I am trying my best as well. That is the way it works and we will push each other to the limit."