Massa hopes to win this year

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa of Ferrari sees himself as a contender for this year’s drivers’ world championship after making a good start to the season.

The Brazilian currently lies fifth in the drivers’ standings with 22 points ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso, who is on 18 points. Massa has also out-qualified his double world champion teammate for the four last consecutive Grands Prix.

"I think we need to be confident and I am very confident. We need to keep our feet on the ground but we know there has been a great deal of work from last year to this year in the car," Massa was quoted as saying Tuesday by ESPN.

"There is a lot to do, there is a lot to make this car better and better and make the evolution right on this car and make this car more competitive. I think if we carry on in this direction the chance of winning races and to fight for the championship is there," added Massa, who qualified fourth and second in Australia and Malaysia, respectively.