Modern F1 not too 'easy' - Massa

May 12 (GMM) Felipe Massa has hit out once again at the suggestion that driving formula one cars in the modern era has become too easy.

The Brazilian veteran has raced across F1's V10, V8 and now V6 eras, but he said the challenge is simply "different" today rather than easier.

"Sure, it used to be physically tougher," said Massa, 35. "We drove lighter cars and could refuel during the race -- we were nearly always at the limit, like during the qualifying sessions. It was more tiring.

"Today's races are more technical than physical," the Williams driver added. "You need to take tyres into account. It is a different, less aggressive way of driving.

"But that's a far cry from saying that today is easy."

Nevertheless, F1 has made the decision to turn a sharp corner for 2017, speeding up the cars with bigger tyres and more downforce.

The move however has split paddock opinion, but Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz is looking forward to it.

"It will be faster and that sounds motivating, as whenever I've gone into a faster car it has always been good for me.

"Regarding overtaking, it is not something we can judge now. We will have to give it a year to see if it was better or not. Time will tell," the Spaniard added.