Hamilton, though, was able to prevent another one-two for the Italian marque by finishing the day second quickest ahead of Massa’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Although the British rookie is refusing to read too much into the test sessions, he feels there will only be two teams chasing the drivers’ and constructors’ crowns in 2007.

“I don’t necessarily agree (Ferrari are the fastest),” said the 22-year-old.

“At some tests we are on top, and here (in Bahrain) Ferrari have been very strong.

“I think they have a different programme to us, and we do not know what fuel they are running.

“You don’t know what fuel we are running, so it is difficult to say who is quickest, but I think Ferrari and McLaren are the two main competitors for the title.”

Hamilton finished half a second down on Massa, who clocked a lap of the Sakhir circuit in one minute 30.640 seconds, with Raikkonen a further three seconds adrift.

Hamilton is certainly growing in confidence each time he steps into the McLaren, firmly believing he and double world champion team-mate Fernando Alonso have a car that can challenge this year.

“I am very, very confident,” Hamilton told Autosport.

“The car is definitely better than last year’s, and so is the engine. We have a very strong package.

“But we will see what happens in the first race. I don’t think anyone is showing their cards yet.

“Obviously we are in a good position, but we still have a lot of work to do and throughout the season we will continue to improve.”

The Renaults of Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen were fourth and sixth quickest, sandwiching the second McLaren of official tester Pedro de la Rosa.

Jenson Button was eighth for Honda, with David Coulthard 14th for Red Bull Racing.