Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has insisted that the Formula 1 break will be a good thing for his team.

The teams are not allowed to develop their cars for the full break, but Massa thinks that the work that can be done will help close the gap to the cars ahead.

"The development work is very important. We need to make this car quicker," Massa told Autosport. "So it's a very important four weeks from one race to the other.

"We know that we have a break for everybody, and the team needs to be closed for two weeks. Nobody can work.

"But the working and thinking are important to bring new pieces for the next race, and have a more competitive second half of the season than the first one."

Ferrari are currently third in the constructors' championship.