Felipe Massa has delivered a stern warning to his critics not to already write him off for next season.

Massa has slotted into the role of number two driver for this year at Ferrari to team-mate Fernando Alonso.

It was a position that came to light in Germany in July when he was forced to cede victory to the Spaniard, resulting in Ferrari being fined £65,000 for implementing team orders.

Massa's fate, however, for this year was sealed, since when he has been a shadow of the driver that started the season relatively strongly.

It has already led to suggestions Massa will continue to play a supporting role to Alonso for 2011, a remark he has strongly refuted.

"I know what I'm able to do and I know I can again fight for the championship and for victories, which I have done many times," said the Brazilian.

"The media just look at what is happening now. They never remember the past and they don't see anything about the future.

"They just look at what has happened race by race. So I don't care about that so much. I care about what I am and what I am able to do.

"I'm sure if I fix the big problem I have had this year I will be back in the fight, and that's what I'm looking for."

The big problem as referred to by Massa surrounds qualifying and his failure to sufficiently heat up his tyres, vital for the one-lap showdown on Saturdays.

The 29-year-old has been out-qualified 14-4 by Alonso this season, and in particular in 10 of the last 11 races, which is partly the reason why he now trails the double world champion by 106 points.

But Massa is confident of a fightback, regardless of the fact the tyre supplier changes for next season as Bridgestone are replaced by Pirelli.

"There was a big, big change from last year's tyres to this year's tyres, and that was the worst thing for me," added Massa.

"I'm sure it will be another big change when we try the Pirellis, and I hope I can pull it back to the other side.

"For sure the tyres are a very important key to the car, especially when you have tyres which work in a different direction to what you expect.

"Most important this year was to have the right temperature on the first lap in qualifying, which is a big point in the fight.

"If you cannot do what you are able to in qualifying, you know you are not going to start first."