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Montezemolo expects Massa to bounce back

Felipe Massa looks on after crashing out of the Japanese Grand Prix © Getty Images

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• Race:
• Japanese Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Stefano Domenicali
• |
• Felipe Massa

• Teams:
• Ferrari

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is expecting Felipe Massa to return to form in the final three races and get amongst the five title challengers.

Massa crashed out of the Japanese Grand Prix after attempting to pass Nico Rosberg on the grass into turn one and losing control of his Ferrari. It was his second disappointing finish in a row during a competitive period for team-mate Fernando Alonso, following his eighth place in Singapore.

"I'm sorry for Felipe, who was certainly not lucky this weekend: I'm sure that he will be the surprise of the last three races of the season," di Montezemolo told Ferrari's website. "After this bad day he will be desperately keen to react and we will do everything to give him the possibility to win."

Team prinicipal Stefano Domenicali admitted he had been disappointed for Massa as Ferrari had a competitive car on Sunday.

"The situation in the constructors' took a knock because Felipe had to retire after the accident at the start. I am very disappointed for our driver, who despite a less than brilliant grid position had every chance of having a good race."

The Spanish newspaper La Razon suggested Massa had been issued an "Italian ultimatum" by di Montezemolo, after the Ferrari president said before the Japanese Grand Prix that he has "waited with great perseverance" recently for Massa to "shave points off the rivals". But during the grand prix weekend, Domenicali played down any tensions between the team and its driver.

Massa is now determined to reverse his recent results and said there is every chance his luck will change.

"These past two races have been frustrating for me but we have seen many times this year how quickly the situation can change: I will be trying my very best in the remaining three grand prix."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.