Alonso predicts that Massa will be strong rival in 2014

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has tipped former teammate Felipe Massa to be a formidable rival in the 2014 F1 World Championship.

After eight years in red, Brazilian Massa's move to the once-great British team Williams was seen by some as astep backwards for the 11-time grand prix winner.

But after pre-season testing, Mercedes-powered Williams has emerged as one of the stronger forces for 2014, with Massa tipped as an outside chance for outright victory in Melbourne.

"I've talked with Felipe several times this year already," Spaniard Alonso is quoted by Brazil's Globo.

"He is happy, Williams has so much history in Formula 1 and is not just any team, and they have had a very strong pre-season," he noted.

"It is very positive because now they can be fighting. Felipe will definitely be a strong rival this year," added Alonso. (GMM)

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