Massa made Ferrari 'number 2'

(GMM) Felipe Massa has been assigned 'number two' status as Ferrari bids to win the 2007 drivers' title with his teammate Kimi Raikkonen, according to reports.

With Ferrari now guaranteed the constructors' title, Sport Bild journalist Ralf Bach claims that the Japanese grand prix this weekend will be the first time in 2007 in which the Finn, seven points ahead of Massa in the championship but 13 points behind the leader, is to be given preferential treatment by the Maranello based team.

Michael Schumacher traditionally enjoyed number one status at Ferrari, but the Italian team reverted to equality with its new driver pairing this year.

David Coulthard, who in the late 90s supported his McLaren teammate Mika Hakkinen at the crescendo of his titles, explained that Massa's new role will begin as early as Friday practice at Fuji.

"Only one driver can receive the best strategy for the race," he is quoted as saying by Sport Bild, "and it is obvious that the one who gets it is the one who has the best chance to win the championship."

Brazilian Massa, 26, has not specifically confirmed his new lesser status for the last races of 2007, but earlier this week he emphasized the importance of working towards the best team result.

"As usual I will do my best to do the better result for the team," he said.

"At Ferrari, our main priority is the interest of the team. However, there is a lot to do, but you never know what might happen."

McLaren-Mercedes, on the other hand, has reaffirmed its policy of driver equality ahead of the fifteenth race of the season.

Amid rumors that Fernando Alonso, almost certain to leave McLaren at the end of the year, may be given sub-standard support from now on, Mercedes' competition director Norbert Haug told Auto Motor und Sport: "Fernando has never experienced anything other than absolute equal treatment this year."