Fernando Alonso: Felipe Massa's "got the talent"

Fernando Alonso has said that Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa can turn around his low-scoring start to the season and challenge for podium places.

Alonso is leading the drivers' rankings on 76 points while Massa has 66 points fewer after six races and is 14th in the standings.

"It's hard to think Felipe won't win many points in the second part of the season, that he won't make podiums or fight for wins. He's got the talent for it," said Alonso.

"It's been an unfortunate start to the season because of a number of things - bad luck, a slower adaptation than before to the tyres... Felipe's results weren't normal.

"He's got all my support, and all the support of the team to change the situation around."

The seventh round of the world championship takes place in Canada next weekend.