Felipe Massa thinks it is too early for him to start talking with Ferrari about his longer term future, despite Fernando Alonso having committed himself to the team until 2016.
Massa's current contract runs through the end of next year and, despite speculation that the deal could be cut short at the end of this season, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said last week that there was no doubt the Brazilian would be a part of the team in 2012. Although Alonso's decision to commit to Ferrari for another five years has been secured now, Massa says that he is not yet in a position where he wants to consider his longer term ambitions.
"I am not at the right time to renew a contract," explained the Brazilian in Spain. "We will wait and see how it is going to be with my long future – and I don't know yet how it is going to be."
Massa said that he had already congratulated Alonso on putting together his new deal, which all but guarantees the Spaniard will see out his career at Ferrari.
"I think it is good for him," explained Massa. "To sign to race for Ferrari, it is a good emotion. Renew a contract for a long time is for sure good for him, so I already congratulated him."
Massa is hoping that a series of updates to his car, which will be the first developments since Ferrari resolved its wind tunnel calibration problems, will put the team in contention to fight for a podium in Barcelona.
"I expect a better result here compared to all the races in 2011," he said. "I hope we can have a better result here compared to other places, and I hope we can see our car stronger. And that is what we are working for."