Italy is very special - Massa

For the first time in his Formula 1 career, Felipe Massa sat in today's FIA press conference at the Monza circuit, in the role of winner of the previous race. The conference moderator said to the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver that he looked in good shape and the Brazilian confirmed that: "Yes, I am really happy with my life and work at the moment. The last five or six races have gone very well and I have started from the top three very often."

Massa was also upbeat about the outcome of last week's test at this track. "The car had good speed, good stability and good downforce and everything worked well," he said. "I hope we can produce the same level performance this weekend as we did at the test and indeed as we did at the last race. Certainly, after my win I feel more relaxed, but the motivation is still strong and I am still thinking about the championships. Last year in Monza, I finished ninth and this year I hope to do much better." This is Massa's first race appearance at Monza as a Ferrari driver and he has noticed the difference with past visits here. "I am aware of a very warm welcome from the fans here in Monza and I can understand that. Unlike many of my Brazilian colleagues, I did not go to make my career in England, but came here to Italy. The result is that I became a Ferrari driver and for me, Italy is very special. I have an Italian passport, I love the peopleand of course I love the food!"

Inevitably, Felipe and his fellow drivers in the conference were asked for their thoughts about Michael Schumacher's plans for the future. "He has not retired yet," Massa reminded his audience. "But what I can say is that it is a pleasure to race alongside him and I think he is the most complete driver in F1 at the moment."