Felipe Massa says he has been given promises by Ferrari management that he is not heading into 2011 just to play a supporting role to teammate Fernando Alonso.
Although Massa was forced to back up Alonso's title challenge from the middle of last year, in the wake of being ordered to sacrifice the lead at the German Grand Prix, Massa says the slate has been wiped clean for the start of this season.
"I am part of a team where I really want to win," Massa said at the launch of Ferrari's new F150 in Maranello on Friday. "I am here for that. I am not here to race, I am here to win. So I do have a guarantee and if one day a team should tell me that I don't have any guarantees to win a grand prix, then actually I know I would not go to the team.
"I trust my team here 100 percent. I know they can give me the perfect car, [and] the most competitive car to win as many races as possible."
Massa struggled for form last season as he failed to come to grips with the characteristics of Bridgestone's narrower front tires. With Pirelli having come on board for this season, however, Massa is optimistic that he can rediscover the pace that helped him challenge for the world title in 2008.
"Many changes have been implemented and we know, as I always said, that I didn't like the tires," he said. "I had many difficulties with those tires, whereas I had positive impressions with Pirelli.
"Many things I was doing last year have changed in my driving style, and in my first day of tests with Pirelli tires it was positive. I didn't try doing anything different, but it was easier for me to drive the car with the new tires.
"I think I am in a different condition, referring to the problems I had last year. Let's hope the car will perform well from the beginning until the end. We know this is important in such a competitive championship as it was last year and will be this year as well."