Felipe Massa could be a key to a successful championship tilt by Fernando Alonso this year.
That is the view of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who said in Milan this week that he thinks Spaniard Alonso was "tired" at the end of a hard-fought campaign with a less competitive Ferrari last season.
"This could be Ferrari’s year," the French Canadian told the Italian media.
"The car is fast, although maybe it’s a bit difficult to drive.
"Perhaps he will also have the support of Massa this year," he added.
The Maranello based team has produced a much better car for 2013, although currently the Ferraris are behind the Red Bulls and even Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ points standings.
Referring to Alonso’s first-lap contact in Malaysia and the decision to stay out on track rather than pit for a new nose, Villeneuve said: "Ferrari has already done its big mistake for the year."