Massa doesn't think Alonso's Indy 500 decision is professional

Felipe Massa thinks that Fernando Alonso's absence from the Monaco Grand Prix is unprofessional. Last month, Alonso announced that he would be skipping Formula 1's most glamorous race to instead try his hand at the Indy 500.

While he has received praise from fellow drivers, Massa, who partnered Alonso at Ferrari from 2010-2013, thinks that Alonso should have stayed for F1's most famous and anticipated race.

"It was a surprise," Massa told the Spanish daily Marca, "but he's doing it because McLaren has a big, big problem. To be honest, I respect his decision but to stop racing in Formula 1 to do another race is not normal. I think it's not 100 percent professional," said the Williams driver.

Massa said it's possible that Alonso will leave McLaren-Honda at the end of the season: "It's very difficult to answer, but if he has the opportunity to go to a competitive team, if McLaren does not give him what he needs, I think he would leave yesterday," said the Brazilian.

Alonso is out of contract with McLaren at the end of the season. Renault recently admitted they were interested in signing him, however, told him that he would not have a competitive car for a couple of years.

Fergal Walsh