Highlights

Massa deserves more recognition, says Ferrari boss

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-07-05 11:50

LONDON, July 3 - Ferrari boss Jean Todt believes Brazilian Felipe Massa is under-rated as Michael Schumacher's Formula One team mate.

"He has a good spirit, he's a team player, he's humble, shy," the Frenchman told reporters after Massa finished runner-up in Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis -- a career best result for the 25-year-old Formula One driver.

"He's probably too humble and too shy for this business, because he's not rated as he should be. But the most important thing is that he's rated by Ferrari," added Todt.

Massa, managed by Todt's son Nicolas, has a one-year race deal with the former champions but his future at the team remains uncertain.

Seven times world champion Schumacher, the winner on Sunday, will be 38 in January and has yet to announce whether he is staying or retiring at the end of this season.

Ferrari, who have also been linked to McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, have said that they will announce their 2007 driver line-up at Monza in September.

"Very often I'm amazed to see that Felipe is not rated like he should be," said Todt.