Felipe Massa: 'Fernando Alonso absence not professional'

Felipe Massa of Williams poses for a portrait during day one of F1 winter testing at Circuit de Catalunya on March 1, 2016
© Getty Images
Fernando Alonso's Monaco absence this weekend is not "professional", according to former teammate Felipe Massa.

Fernando Alonso's Monaco absence this weekend is not "professional", according to Felipe Massa.

Alonso's former Ferrari teammate Massa was asked about the Spaniard's decision to skip F1's prestigious street race to bid for Indy 500 victory.

"It was a surprise," Massa told 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% professional."

Massa said it is 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.

A frustrating start to the season has left McLaren pointless at the bottom of the team rankings.

Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso walks in the paddock during previews to the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 12, 2016
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TeamPoints
1Ferrari196
2Mercedes179
3Red Bull97
4Force India53
5Toro Rosso29
6Williams-Mercedes20
7Renault14
8Haas14
9Sauber4
10McLaren0
DriversTeamPoints
1Sebastian VettelFerrari129
2Lewis HamiltonMercedes104
3Valtteri BottasMercedes75
4Kimi RaikkonenFerrari67
5Daniel RicciardoRed Bull52
6Max VerstappenRed Bull45
7Sergio PerezForce India34
8Carlos SainzToro Rosso25
9Felipe MassaWilliams-Mercedes20
10Esteban OconForce India19
11Nico HulkenbergRenault14
12Romain GrosjeanHaas9
13Kevin MagnussenHaas5
14Pascal WehrleinSauber4
15Daniil KvyatToro Rosso4
16Lance StrollWilliams-Mercedes0
17Marcus EricssonSauber0
18Jolyon PalmerRenault0
19Fernando AlonsoMcLaren0
20Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren0
21Antonio GiovinazziSauber0
22Jenson ButtonMcLaren0