Ferrari test driver Felipe Massa says that his role with the Prancing Horse is like enrolling at a university of Formula 1.

Massa, who joined Ferrari after a year in Formula 1 with Sauber, says the experience he is gaining will be invaluable in the future.

"I have learnt and am learning a lot," he said. "For me, Ferrari is proving to be an incredible school. Working with Michael [Schumacher], Rubens [Barrichello] and Luca [Badoer, his fellow tester] is like going to university. The experience I am acquiring this year is very important, especially as I go to all the races and attend all the meetings. The more time I spend with the team the better it is for me."

Massa also paid tribute to Ferrari's five-time world champion Schumacher, and describes him as "the heart of the team".

"Michael is really on the ball," he said. "He is always very nice when he speaks with the engineers. Everyone knows he is the best driver at the moment, but he is always very laid back and takes things calmly. When things get difficult, he knows how to be cool and clear headed.

"It is very interesting because when he is concentrating his expression never changes. His professionalism is almost unbelievable and he knows everything about the car and wants to know everything that's going on. He is the heart of the team."