Massa not expecting repeat Bahrain win

The Italian squad has failed to score any points in the first three races of the season, equalling its worst start since 1981.

Massa also endured a tough first part of the season last year, before winning in Bahrain and going on to fight for the title until the final race of the year.

The Brazilian is aware that repeating the feat will not be easy this year.

"You can never say never, but for sure it's not so easy," said Massa. "I believe we can have a good race. If we are going to win or not it's a different thing. But I believe we can be more competitive and score good points.

"We need to start our championship, because at the moment we haven't started it yet."

This weekend Ferrari is facing the prospect of enduring its worst start to a season ever, the Maranello squad having never failed to score points in the first four races of a season.

Massa reckons the situation is similar to last year's, but he admits the pressure is always there, even if the team is winning.

"The situation, at the end of the day, is similar," Massa told reporters. "Nobody is talking about my future, that's the only difference. But the pressure is there. We need to get away from this difficult moment.

"The only thing I want is to move in the good direction and fight for victories or have good races from now on. It's the same. We always have the pressure, even if we win or don't win. There's a big motivation to get away from this difficult moment."

He added: "As I said, you have the pressure all the time, even if you win. The pressure if always there. I kind of know how to work with the pressure, so I'm ready to get away from another one, try to have a competitive race, try to have a competitive championship from now on.

"To be honest, it's less important what people write, it's more important what we know what we have to do, so that's why we are working together to move on from this moment."