Felipe Massa says Ferrari would require Fernando Alonso to support him in the drivers' championship if he was leading it.
Massa has sacrificed points and positions for Alonso on several occasions in recent seasons but he says if roles were reversed Alonso would have to do the same for him.
Massa said: 'We are fighting for two titles and I am sure the team will help me if it turns out that my situation was the same as the one that meant Fernando was a contender these past years.
'I remember when Kimi [Raikkonen] was my team mate and how much we helped one another from one season to the next. It's the same with Fernando, it's team work, while the harmony between us is a help, as it would be in any job.'
He added: 'I can't imagine a team not wanting two competitive drivers.'
Last year Ferrari chose to deliberately incur a gearbox change penalty on Massa's car at the United States Grand Prix, relegating him five places on the grid and moving Alonso forward one. In 2010 Massa was ordered to hand victory to Alonso in the German Grand Prix.
Massa believes his opportunity to compete for the championship will be decided by his performances: 'In Australia we start over from zero and it will all depend on my ability and on the way the championship pans out
"I hope to get off to the best possible start and my aim is always to carry the Brazilian flag onto the highest step of the podium.
"This year, I am the only Brazilian in Formula One and it was an emotional time on the podium in Interlagos last year, hearing the fans cheering my name: it's a sign of the affection and closeness I feel from my country and that is fundamental for me."
2013 F1 season
- Alonso refutes Marko's claim he's too 'political'
- Massa: 'Alonso would support me if I were leading'
- Alonso: Stronger Massa 'good for me and the team'
- Teams have cut carbon emissions, says FOTA study
- Ferrari must make better start to 2013 - Domenicali
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Image © Ferrari/Ercole Colombo
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