 Massa celebrates victory in the Brazilian GP |
Brazilian Felipe Massa has warned new Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen to expect a battle for the number one driver's spot next season. The Finn replaces retired seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
"Up until now I have helped my team by filling the holes, but things have changed," Massa said.
"Next year I don't think I will be obliged to let Kimi pass me. He is a great driver but is joining a new team. It will be up to him to win them over."
Massa, 25, told the Italian Gazzetta dello Sport website he anticipated a "great battle, but a fair one."
His win on Sunday in his home city of Sao Paulo - the first by a Brazilian in their own Grand Prix since the late Ayrton Senna in 1993 - was his second GP victory after winning in Turkey earlier this season.
Raikkonen was runner-up in the drivers' championship in 2003 and 2005, but the 2006 season was a disappointing one for him and his McLaren Mercedes-Benz team.
He finished fifth in the drivers' championship while McLaren were third in the constructors' championship.