Massa still has confidence in F2007

The Italian squad have failed to match their rivals' pace in Monte Carlo and Canada, where McLaren have taken dominant wins to edge clear in the championship standings.

But Massa reckons there were technical reasons why Ferrari were not competitive in those two races, and he believes the F2007 is still very competitive.

"I think it is so easy to find an excuse when you cannot be in the front," Massa told reporters at Indianapolis. "I think in some things it is related to the type of asphalt, like in Monaco and Canada, and our car did not work. We struggled in terms of finding the right grip and we don't know why.

"This race is a good race to see if it was really related to that type of asphalt, or if it is really related to something else. But I am really confident that we still have a great car."

Massa, winner of two races this year, believes Ferrari will enjoy a more competitive weekend in Indianapolis, and the Brazilian is hopeful he will be able to reduce the gap to championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

The Ferrari driver is currently 15 points behind the rookie.

"Well, hopefully it will better than last weekend," he added. "For sure (I expect) having a competitive car and fight for the victory, fight to be at the front. And try to get back in the championship and have a much better difference in terms of points.

"I expect a good weekend. Last year were very bad weekends until this race, and from this race we were very, very strong at most of the races. We did 1-2 here last year and we had a great car, so I expect to have a good car, expect to have a good race and try and change the championship."