Williams launched its 2016 car on Friday morning, with the team aiming to build on back-to-back third place finishes in the constructors’ championship. Massa believes the recent results should not be underestimated for a team of Williams’ size and he believes the work which has gone in to the FW38 gives it a good chance of continuing that form.

“Securing third in the Constructors’ Championship for two consecutive years is a great achievement and one that comes with a lot of expectation – a momentum which I am excited to build on going into the new season,” Massa said.

“The team at the factory have worked really hard on the new car and we have spent a lot of time understanding where we need to improve. I have a lot of confidence in the team at Williams and I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the FW38 to see how it performs.

“I’m equally delighted to be teammates with Valtteri [Bottas] for another year. He is a very talented driver who brings a lot to the team.”

Massa will be paired with Bottas for the third consecutive season. The Brazilian finished sixth in the drivers’ championship with 121 points, 14 points adrift of his team-mate.