"Alonso as good as Schumacher" says Massa

Felipe Massa claims that Fernando Alonso is "as good as Michael Schumacher", who teamed with both of the drivers at Ferrari.

Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa believes that Fernando Alonso is "as good" as Michael Schumacher.

When Alonso overtook Schumacher all the way back at the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix; it looked like it was Alonso's time to shine, almost as if he was starting a new legacy.

Alonso's a legend, no doubt about it, but his goal of passing Schumacher's statistics has not happened - however, retired driver Massa believes that the Spaniard is just as good as Schumacher.

"As for pure talent, I would put Michael and Fernando on the same level," Massa said to Brazilian TV show, Conversa com Bial.

"Alonso has the gift, the ease, of understanding a race and driving incredibly fast. A highly intelligent driver with extensive skills and I would say all that also about Michael."

Alonso's future in Formula One is still yet to be announced, whether he's decided or not and Massa says that his days alongside the McLaren driver were not easy ones.

"I have to admit - it was not easy to live by his side," Massa added.

"I had a close relationship with Michael. I was young and eager to absorb all the knowledge of a seven-time champion, and Schumacher treated me very well.

"But I had to wrestle with Fernando in a different way. Outside of the race car, I had zero problems with Alonso, we have always maintained a healthy working relationship.

"With Fernando, that's one thing. If he pulls down his visor, he becomes another person. He can split a team. We saw that in many racing teams he drove for.

"I see that as his problem. Maybe he could have made more of his talent without this trait."