Felipe Massa upbeat about Williams' potential ahead of new F1 season

SAO PAULO – Felipe Massa says the Williams team's solid performance in early testing has left him upbeat about the new Formula One season.

Massa had the second-best time in last month's tests at Jerez and says the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March.

The Brazilian, debuting with Williams after eight years with Ferrari, remains cautious, however, saying the team's full potential won't be known until the first race weekend.

He said Mercedes also looked to be in a strong position after the tests, but that Red Bull has a lot of work to do to get its car ready.

Massa told a news conference Tuesday that he had visited former Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher, who is recovering from a serious head injury.