Massa hopes for big improvement

Felipe Massa is hopeful his Ferrari team will be able to take a significant step forward at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix following its poor start to the year

The Maranello-based squad, who has scored just three points in four races, is introducing several updates for the Barcelona race, including a double-decker diffuser and other aerodynamic changes.

"We have a good improvement in our car," Massa told reporters in Spain on Thursday.

"For sure the others are not sleeping, they are working hard as well. But I hope we can improve more than the others to make a step forward."

He added: "We have a big hole in the diffuser, like some of the other cars had already. We have this now. We also have another improvements in the aerodynamics, not just the diffuser. I hope this can give good performance and improve the situation."

The Brazilian, who is yet to score a point this year, says the team cannot write off the season even if the updates introduced this weekend don't move them forwards.

"No, we need to keep working," he added. "I think it's difficult to answer this question. We need to keep working and improve the situation and that's it."

Massa, last year's runner-up, added that he is not changing his approach for the races, despite his points account being at zero.

"It's not so different. I'm just trying to do my best, trying to have a good race, score good points. That's all I have in my mind. I don't care about the pressure.

"The pressure is there when you are fighting for the championship or when you are trying to get out of a difficult situation. I just want to do a good race and improve the situation."