» A self-fulfilling prophecy?

Felipe Massa has publically reiterated his desire to have equal-number-one status alongside Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso for the 2011 season.

While the Double World Champion was a late championship contender in 2010, Massa – recently recovered from his frightening accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix – often struggled to step out of the Spaniard’s shadow, with the cherry on the cake being forced to cede a race lead to his team-mate at the German Grand Prix.

But the Brazilian is reportedly much happier with the new-for-2011 Pirelli tyres, and has shown good pace – including a session-topping effort – at the recent pre-season tests in Spain in the 2011 car.

Despite this, that Massa felt the need to echo these sentiments is certainly interesting, and would indicate that the 29-year-old is not feeling entirely secure in his position within the team, with many suggesting that this is a make-or-break year for the driver who tantalisingly missed out on the 2008 title to Lewis Hamilton.

“Choosing a number one driver too soon reduces [Ferrari’s] chances to win the championship from two to one,” he told the La Stampa newspaper.

“As to my capacities, I know how to win – races and also the championship,” he added.

[Original image via AUTOSPORT]