Mercedes to put all its weight behind Hamilton in 2018 - Massa

Felipe Massa believes Mercedes will focus entirely on Lewis Hamilton this season, and leave the four-time world champion free of any team mate hassles.

The Silver Arrows squad puts its drivers on equal footing, but Massa, who retired from the sport at the end of 2017, says the British driver's edge over Valtteri Bottas makes him a de facto priority for his team.

"Next year the team is completely on his side 100 percent," Massa told Motorsport.com.

"So he has no issue with his teammate like he had maybe before [with Nico Rosberg].

• Beating Hamilton produced the best races in Button's career

"So many things are really on his side and he can just make himself better and better all the time."

The Brazilian lost the world title to Hamilton by a single point in 2008 after a thrilling finale at Interlagos.

Looking back on last year's campaign, the former Ferrari and Williams driver was once again massively impressed with the British driver's dedication and level of consistency.

"Hamilton did the perfect job," said Massa.

"He had some little issues in some races at the beginning of the season. He was just not on the pace and struggling with some stuff around the car, but I think they sorted it out.

"He is really doing an amazing job and having fun racing. So he is just getting the best out of it. He deserves everything that he has managed to achieve.

"This year, he made himself into a driver who has nothing to lose compared to any driver in the history."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter