Massa denies pressure for 2011

Ferrari’s Braazilian driver Felipe Massa doesn’t feel pressured by his team to to restore his reputation in 2011. Although he had a difficult 2010, Massa remembered that throughout his five years with the Italian Scuderia he always secured his place despite regular rumours about his future.

During the 2010 season Felipe Massa was outlasted by his new team-mate Fernando Alonso, as he finished in sixth place in the standings with a 108 point gap to the Spaniard. Together with Ferrari's lack of competitiveness and his head injury in 2009, Massa is now going through a two-year drought of race wins.

Having already extended his link with Ferrari until 2012, this year was no exception with the speculation of possible drivers to replace him in the Scuderia. With the poor results, those rumours intensified.

Yet, the Brazilian said at the Ferrari World Finals event at Valencia that he was relaxed about his situation.

"I don't think 2011 signifies a crucial year for me," he insisted. "Fundamentally, I have been in this situation often. I remember that at the start of 2006, many people said I would only last a year at Ferrari and then I won races that season and went on to stay for a long time more.”

Massa remembers that in 2008 he was in a lot of pressure but still managed to cross the line at the end of the final race as world champion, although the title was snatched by Hamilton with a final lap overtake on Timo Glock.

"This year, there were many who said I would have a difficult year after my accident in Budapest - it turned out that way, but not for that reason."

"Over the years, the names of at least 10 drivers have been put forward as replacements for me at Ferrari, but I am still here,” added Massa.