The Brazilian, 31, followed up his second-place finish in Japan – his first
podium for two years- with another strong race in Korea at the weekend.
Massa qualified in sixth place and finishing fourth – 6.2 seconds behind
Alonso.
Vettel’s team-mate, Mark Webber, is on a one-year deal until the end of 2013
and could well retire at the end of next season ahead of the introduction of
new chassis and engine regulations in 2014.
The Brazilian is expected to be confirmed in the Ferrari seat for 2013, his
eighth consecutive season with the team, in a matter of days.
Team boss Stefano Domenicali said of Massa after the Korean race on Sunday: “Very
good, I’m very happy.
“He did an excellent race, and an excellent qualifying. But I have to
say he’s [been] doing an excellent job since a couple of races, so this is
really very promising for the end of the season.
“And if I want to anticipate the next question that I’m sure someone
will ask, very soon you will know what will be our position in that respect.
“For sure he’s understanding now better the car, he’s understanding
better the tyres. We believe that he’s a very, very strong driver, there’s
no doubt, because otherwise we would already have taken a different decision.”
Vettel currently leads the world championship by six points from Alonso,
having won the title in 2010 and 2011.