Massa learns from the master

Brazil’s Felipe Massa believes a season-long masterclass with Michael Schumacher has made him a better driver – and will be determined to prove it when the new Formula One season gets underway.

Massa spent last year as a Ferrari test driver but is now back at Sauber, the team that gave him his F1 break in 2002, to partner Giancarlo Fisichella.

“Working with Michael and Rubens Barrichello was great for me, I was at most of the races and in most of the meetings and I think it was very important for me,” said Massa, who helped launch Sauber’s 2004 challenger in Salzburg yesterday. “It was like a university. Now I am just looking forward. I did 15,000 kilometres at Ferrari and I have to say it was a great experience.

“In Formula One, experience is very important. You learn from your mistakes and I think I have learned a lot because last year I made very few mistakes, just spun a few times.

“Michael has 14 years in Formula One, he has won six championships, it was great to have this kind of experience.

“He’s a great driver, very technical and very concentrated. He is strong in good or bad situations.”

Massa’s speed was never in question during his maiden year but he also ran up an expensive repair bill, so team chief Peter Sauber sent him to Ferrari to further his education.

“He was very fast with good reactions but he was too young,” said Sauber, whose team are powered by Ferrari engines.

“His technical expertise was not good enough for Formula One.”