Massa makes top 10 on debut

The inexperienced 20-year-old ended up an impressive eighth after the two Friday free practice sessions, which was enough to make him the best of the new boys too.

"I think that's a pretty good start for me!" he said. "The car was really nice today and I was able to learn the track really quickly. I was being very careful to get the first corner right, because otherwise it spoils the second corner as well if you make a mistake there.

"My aim is to qualify in the top 10, so this is a good foundation for me."

Sauber finished a surprise fourth in the constructors' championship last year, and have followed that up with strong pre-season testing form and good pace around Albert Park today. Massa's team-mate Nick Heidfeld was fifth fastest behind the two Ferraris and the two Williams.

"Obviously, I'm happy so far," said the German. "It's nice to be fifth quickest on the first day of the new season. We didn't do everything that we wanted because of the weather, but the performance of the Sauber Petronas C21 confirms the good feelings I have had for the car all winter and my position is even better than I had hoped for."

For full practice session 1 results, click here.

For full practice session 2 results, click here.