Felipe Massa bounced out of his road-going Fiat at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort this week and immediately stretched out a hand for his new teammate to shake.
Much of the racing world expects the Brazilian to resume his supporting role at Ferrari in 2007, but diminutive Massa told journalists that the fresh arrival of Kimi Raikkonen “opens new opportunities for me”.
Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn’s absences aside, the most notable change at the team this year is the apparent scrapping of the ‘number one’ driver policy.
“I think I’m at the ideal point in my life to take advantage,” a buoyant Massa, who rarely contained his smile during a press conference in the Italian Dolomites, said.
“It’s true that Kimi is very important for the team, and expectations are high, but he hasn’t won a world championship, neither of us have.
“It will be the same (conditions) for both drivers.
“It’s early, but it wouldn’t surprise me if I’m fighting for the title.”
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
