Massa: I had Offers from Other Teams

Rookie Felipe Massa revealed this weekend he had offers from other Formula One teams prior to signing with Sauber.

The young Brazilian told German magazine Motorsport Aktuell he had been contacted as far back as in 2000 by Renault's Flavio Briatore, and claims he also had been approached by Prost management on a couple of occasions.

"The first who approached me and offered me a contract was Pedro Diniz [for Prost]," Massa said. "Then, during my time in Formula Renault in 2000, Flavio Briatore approached me [on behalf of Benetton]. And a couple of months before signing for Sauber, I talked to Alain Prost. But I didn't want to rush anything, so I waited."

Massa also talked to the magazine about his expectations and plans for his upcoming Formula One career, not shying away from revealing he has his eyes on the World Championship title.

"Since I've started competing in motor racing, I have had two targets: I wanted to get into Formula One, and I want to be World Champion," Massa said. "My first target is achieved. Now it's about the realisation of my second dream.

"One of my strengths - other than learning new tracks quickly - is in a duel: when I see a gap, I go for it. I'd rather make a mistake than not to try something. But I will have to learn a lot this year - about the car, the team, the tracks and Formula One in general. And I have to further improve my English."

Massa also paid compliment to his Sauber teammate Nick Heidfeld. "My impression about him is very positive," Massa said of the German. "He is a nice guy. On the track he is a competitor like everybody else, but I am sure we will get along well. I can benefit from his experience. Incidentally I've never had any problems with a teammate, so I see no reason why that should change."

Asked whether he too, like other Brazilians, idolises the late Ayrton Senna, Massa admitted he is actually not a fan of the great World Champion, but rather looks to Michael Schumacher as the benchmark.

"I was still very young when Senna was dominating Formula One," Massa said. "Therefore, I can't honestly claim that he was my idol. My idol is Michael Schumacher. At the moment he is the best driver and the one I look up to."