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Sao Paulo, Brazil - Felipe Massa, looking forward to his 100th Formula 1 race for Ferrari, knows he will have to raise his game to stay with the team after 2012.
Massa, twice a winner of his home Grand Prix at Interlagos, has not stood on the podium in 2011 and is sixth in a championship won by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.
Massa said: "I have a contract with Ferrari until (the end of) next year and this is not the only moment (in my career) that I have to do a good job to renew.
"Other times it has happened. I need a good year to continue," he added.
Massa, whose position at Ferrari has been under constant speculation since he arrived in 2006, has already received a veiled warning from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
'HE NEEDS TO PROVE HIMSELF'
Montezemolo said: "We expect great things from him in 2012 and then decide how to proceed. Let's say he needs to prove himself next season."
Massa said he also hoped to have a more competitive car.
He said: "It was not a very good year, it was not an easy year"
Fernando Alonso is third overall in the 2011 championship and has 245 points to Massa's 108.
Massa said: "To have a competitive car...the work is not only now but a few months ago. We wish to have a car more competitive so that we can play for the championship from the beginning to the end and not just some races.
"Although my year was not good, I rely on the strength of the fans, as always...the excitement is always high when I go home," said Massa.
Massa, twice a winner of his home Grand Prix at Interlagos, has not stood on the podium in 2011 and is sixth in a championship won by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.
Massa said: "I have a contract with Ferrari until (the end of) next year and this is not the only moment (in my career) that I have to do a good job to renew.
"Other times it has happened. I need a good year to continue," he added.
Massa, whose position at Ferrari has been under constant speculation since he arrived in 2006, has already received a veiled warning from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
'HE NEEDS TO PROVE HIMSELF'
Montezemolo said: "We expect great things from him in 2012 and then decide how to proceed. Let's say he needs to prove himself next season."
Massa said he also hoped to have a more competitive car.
He said: "It was not a very good year, it was not an easy year"
Fernando Alonso is third overall in the 2011 championship and has 245 points to Massa's 108.
Massa said: "To have a competitive car...the work is not only now but a few months ago. We wish to have a car more competitive so that we can play for the championship from the beginning to the end and not just some races.
"Although my year was not good, I rely on the strength of the fans, as always...the excitement is always high when I go home," said Massa.