Massa will measure up for Ferrari - Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve believes current Sauber team-mate Felipe Massa will prove his critics wrong at Ferrari next season.

Massa’s move to the Italian giants for next year was widely expected because of the Brazilian’s previous links with Ferrari, and his managerial deal with Nicolas Todt, son of Ferrari chief Jean.

Villeneuve has tipped the 24-year-old to cause a surprise as Michael Schumacher’s team-mate, insisting he is a “fighter” who will not easily accept number-two status.

Both Schumacher’s previous team-mates, Rubens Barrichello and Eddie Irvine, were obliged to back up the German’s title challenges – a role Massa is also expected to fulfil.

But Villeneuve believes Massa, who he once claimed could barely drive in a straight line, has the speed to keep Schumacher on his toes.

“He doesn’t seem to have the personality for a number two, so I don’t think that’s the reason they signed him,” he said.

“He is a fighter. I would be surprised if he just goes there, sits down and accepts everything.

“He’s not one who will just accept being behind. He still has a lot of good years in front of him.

“He’s still in a learning period; he is still progressing, and Ferrari can only be good for him. He has been a great team-mate; he is fast; he works hard, and we get along.

“He is very good; he has matured a lot compared to a couple of years ago when he was very young. He is still young but now he has maturity so that is good.”

Villeneuve, who took just four races to become a winner in Formula One, believes the toughest challenge facing Massa will be the transition from midfield runner to podium hopeful.

Massa, who has spent his three seasons in the sport at Sauber, has scored only 24 points in that time but will be expected to top that within half a season at Ferrari.

Villeneuve feels he will get no help from Schumacher, however, saying: “He has got to learn how to drive at the front, which he’ll have to do once he’s at Ferrari and which he didn’t have the opportunity to practise here.

“I’m not sure Michael will want to teach him. That’s not what drivers do - you don’t teach other drivers how to beat you.

“Michael is used to being at the front, and Felipe has never had the opportunity to be at the front – so that’s a different mind-set.”