Massa fired up, ready to roll In form: Ferarri driver Felipe Massa is looking forward to Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. Photo: William West Until as recently as six months ago, Felipe Massa's position at the famed Ferrari formula one team was looking so tenuous it verged on hopeless. After 2½ years in the doldrums, it was widely assumed Massa would be replaced this year as former twice world champion Fernando Alonso's teammate. Ferrari offered the Brazilian's drive to Australia's Mark Webber, who elected to re-sign for another season with Red Bull Racing. Others were also approached. But after showing signs of regaining his old form in the second half of the season, Massa's contract was extended last October until the end of this year. He had just finished second in the Japanese Grand Prix, his first time on the podium for almost two years. After his contract renewal was announced he stayed competitive in the final five races. In stark contrast to the insecure driver who struggled at Albert Park last year, Massa is feisty and confident not only about his chances in Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, but also of being a leading contender throughout the season. "I'm feeling fresh, confident [and] convinced that we can have a good championship," Massa, who almost won the world championship in 2008, told Fairfax Media at the unveiling of a life-size F1 Ferrari model made from Lego. I hope we have a better car [and] better possibilities to fight with these guys in front. Here [Melbourne] is where it counts. Here is where we're going to see where we are in the first qualifying and the first race, and I'm looking forward to that. I hope we [he and Alonso] are even more competitive and a better, tough combination compared to the other teams. That's really our target. Massa, 31, lost the 2008 world title in heartbreaking circumstances, winning the final race in his native Sao Paulo in Brazil to be proclaimed champion - but only for 30 seconds or so. In the meantime, Briton Lewis Hamilton got the extra place he needed near the end of the last lap to snatch the crown by one point. Massa suffered a serious head injury when a bolt from the suspension of another car hit his helmet during qualifying for the Hungarian GP at the end of July in 2009, putting him out for the rest of the season. He struggled on his return in 2010 and was overshadowed by Alonso until his sudden revival in the second half of last season. Massa, who has always maintained the head injury had no lasting effect on his driving, believes the mid-season transformation was due to an improved mental attitude, reminding himself that he had won 11 races. "I had many victories and was fighting for the world championship as well," he said. I was just in a better shape in the second part of the season, happy again and more motivated. I was a little bit better mentally. I got back to being happy again and I think starting to have a good result straight away helps as well to put you in the right direction. The second part of last year was just a preparation for 2013. Following pre-season testing, Massa is convinced the new Ferrari F138 is more competitive than its predecessor, which was way off the pace, even in Alonso's hands at Albert Park last year. "I'm confident and convinced that our car is in much better shape compared to last year, but where we are exactly, we will see here," he said. Like all drivers, however, he acknowledges the true test of form won't come until qualifying for grid positions on Saturday. "You can have a little idea, but I think we will have the right idea when everybody's on the same fuel [load] and the same tyres, trying to do the best lap in qualifying," he said.