Massa admits 2012 'crucial' for Formula One career

Felipe Massa has admitted 2012 will be "crucial" if he wants to retain a top seat in Formula One.

Ferrari will honour the Brazilian's contract for next season, but Massa has struggled since his near-fatal crash in 2009 - and the birth of his son Felipinho - to keep up with Fernando Alonso.

In Korea, he was told by a reporter for the O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper that 2012 will be crucial.

"I think so too; to do a good year will be very important, crucial for my future of being in a competitive team, no doubt. And so my determination is greater than ever," said the 30-year-old.

Felipe Massa, Scuderia Ferrari

Photo by: xpb.cc

He acknowledged the possibility he will have to leave Ferrari for 2013.

Asked what he would do then, Massa answered: "I go to another team! There is no other option; I will continue to race and thinking about the best for my career.

"I am not afraid of anything that can happen as I've always been a guy with his feet on the ground. I know that if I do not have a good 2012, everything can change. Everything follows according to the results."

Massa said he is confident another team would sign him up if Ferrari does not.

"I think so. Regardless of having a good season, I believe I am among the best in Formula One."

He denied that his struggles are due to the paddock perception of his 'number 2' status to Alonso.

"The telemetry in the team is 100 per cent open. Without a doubt, 100 per cent, the treatment and the equipment is the same.

"If you have an inferior car you can see it in the numbers, you cannot help it. I have never had any different treatment," added Massa.