The Brazilian, who had been seventh quickest in the morning, spun several times during the second session and was unable to set a proper laptime after damaging his tyres.
Massa finished down in 15th position, 1.5 seconds off team-mate Fernando Alonso.
After the session, Ferrari's technical director Pat Fry said Massa's car balance was being affected by an errant setting.
"One of the settings on his car was incorrect and that compromised the balance of the car and prevented him from getting the most out of the set of softs and also led to him spinning, which damaged one of the tyres, pretty much ending his session," Fry explained.
After damaging his tyres, Massa was unable to complete his programme and spent the last part of the afternoon doing pitstop practice instead.
"The balance of the car was no longer the best and it was becoming very difficult to drive, to such an extent that I ended up spinning," he said.
"Unfortunately, that damaged a tyre and so I was unable to do the work over a long run which had been one of our priorities.
"In the final half hour, I therefore concentrated on pitstop practice, the only thing possible with the tyres in that condition."
