Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has suggested that the 2012 season could very well be a make or break year for Felipe Massa, who has struggled to match the pace of his highly regarded teammate, Fernando Alonso.
Whilst Alonso managed ten podiums, including a race win, in 2011, the Brazilian failed to finish higher than fifth over the course of the entire season.
Massa has a contract with Ferrari until the end of the coming season and many believe his tenure with the Italian outfit is all but over, unless he can return to his 2008 form which saw him challenge for the title.
“As you can imagine this year is an important year from Felipe,” said Domenicali on Wednesday. “We are expecting a lot from him and he is expecting a lot from himself.
“We need to be realistic, this is a crucial season for him and his future,” the Italian said, hinting that his future may lay elsewhere depending on his performance.
“We will do everything to help him. I am confident that Felipe will take out from himself the maximum he can deliver because the potential he has is very, very strong.
“I know what is around the subject from all over the world, but I know Felipe when he is under pressure is performing better and I am expecting from him a great season.”
