Felipe Massa has said that it is "too optimistic" to expect Ferrari to close the gap on Formula 1's pace-setters during testing in Mugello.

The Brazilian believes that it is unrealistic for the team to make such a huge step forward in a short period of time, especially when other teams are also introducing upgrades to their machines as well.

"To close the gap you need to improve much, much more than the others," the 31-year-old told Sky Sports News. "The others are working, the others are improving.

"For sure in three weeks you see cars improving two or three tenths. We need to make a huge step forward. To close the gap to the guys which is winning the races is a little bit too optimistic - but we hope."

Massa's partner Fernando Alonso took the checkered flag in the season's second race in Malaysia.