‘Massa knows what he needs to do’

Ferrari chief says driver needs to maximise performance.

Felipe Massa knows what he needs to do in order to secure his future with the team beyond the end of this season, said Ferrari chief Stefano Domenicali.

Massa, who secured a total of just two points in the opening five races of the 2012 season, was rumoured to be on his way out but a recent improvement  has removed the threat.

Now the team principal has suggested that further improvement could enable the 31-year-old to retain his seat next season, which he has held since 2006.

“I think he knows [what he has to do],” Domenicali was quoted as saying by Autosport. “He needs to maximise the performance because we need his capabilities behind the wheel. We need points to try to attack first place in the constructors’ championship, and also to take away points from the other drivers in the drivers’ championship. He knows that he has in front of him some very important races as a driver and also as a team member for Ferrari.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2012.