Mat Coch writes:

Felipe Massa has dodged questions on whether he will help Fernando Alonso during tomorrow's Singapore Grand Prix. Asked if he would race for himself or Alonso the Brazilian was cagey in his response.

"I don't know that Fernando needs my help," said Massa after qualifying. "I think Fernando needs to pray for an issue on Sebastian's car. It will not be easy to finish in front of him, something needs to happen."

The Singapore race will be the first since it was officially announced Massa will not continue with the Italian team for 2014. It's a weight off his shoulders, he claims, while he considers his options for next year.

The 32-year-old claims there are two realistic opportunities for him, with Lotus understood to be one and Sauber the most likely alternative, but stresses he will not sign with a team to simply make up the numbers.

"I at least want a chance to be competitive," he explained. "I will not be on my knees to be in Formula One.

"I don't have the championship but I did a lot more than I expected when I was a kid, so I don't want to carry on here just to be in the picture," he added. "I want to carry on here to finish my career the best way I can, otherwise it's time to finish."

If a drive doesn't materialise he will remain in motor sport he says, DTM being one option, though for the moment Formula One remains his target.

Before then Massa has seven races left as a Ferrari driver and will start sixth in tomorrow's race. It's a solid result after a difficult opening day of practice. "Yesterday I couldn't drive the car," he confessed. "We changed the car completely for today and then the car was much better.

"The balance was the way I like, it was competitive, so I think I managed to do a great Q3. I managed to put together a great lap."

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