Massa hurting by poor start to season

While team-mate Fernando Alonso is leading the drivers' championship after his victory at last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, Massa has yet to register a point. The Brazilian retired in Australia after a clash with compatriot Bruno Senna and could only finish 15th, almost a lap down on Alonso, at Sepang. The 30 year-old chose to cancel a planned return home after the race in Malaysia in order to try and figure out where things have gone wrong. And despite criticism in sections of the media, the former Sauber driver has received the public backing of Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali. Massa told the Ferrari website: "I met my engineer Rob Smedley and I spent a lot of time with [technical director] Pat Fry, going over everything that happened, because this is the only way I think we can understand the reasons behind these two bad weekends. I am disappointed, there is no denying it - not scoring any points in two races hurts - but now it's time to turn the page. "It's the not the first time I've gone through a difficult moment like this and I know well that things can change quickly, but now is the moment to do my utmost because I want this negative period to come to an end. "I want things to return to normal, to a situation in which I can show my talent as I have always done and as the team knows I can do." Massa is also keen to pay back the support shown for him by Domenicali and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo. "I was very happy to read and hear what was said by President Montezemolo, our boss Stefano Domenicali and my team-mate Fernando," he said. "Their words did not come as a surprise, because I know I can count on the support of what is a real second family for me, which is what Ferrari has been to me for all these years. I feel there is confidence around me, that the team is united in its support for me and that is very important. "Now I want to transform that into results to pay back all this support."