Brazilian Felipe Massa will bring an end to his Formula One career at the conclusion of the current season.
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Massa, who drives for Williams, has won 11 Grand Prix races during his 15-year career. It was a commanding display from Massa as he crossed the line almost 20 seconds ahead of reigning champion Alonso and 24 clear of Schumacher in his final race for Ferrari. In fact, the German driver’s retirement that year paved way for Massa to continue driving for Ferrari in the following seasons, after being signed on for just one year.
“I’m more nervous now than all my race starts”, Massa said. The same year, Renault’s infamous crashgate scandal at the Singapore Grand Prix cost Massa his lead and the driver lost the world championship title by just one point. He then got a position as test driver for Ferrari in 2003 before returning to Sauber for another two year, alongside his testing duties with Ferrari. Obviously I wish him all the best for whatever he decides to do in the future. “I know officially my last race will be in Abu Dhabi, but emotionally the Sao Paulo weekend will be the real farewell becomes of what it means to my heart”. He was really kind to me and was my hero Formula One driver. “I achieved more than I ever expected”.
“I’m so proud to have been part of this team”, said Massa, of WIlliams.
Ferrari won the constructor’s championship for the second consecutive year, but it would be Massa’s last chance to join the likes of Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Emerson Fittipaldi as Brazilian World Champions.
A personal favourite race result (and the day I accidentally made Sebastian Vettel cry!) saw Massa, Vettel, and Kamui Kobayashi grace the Suzuka podium following a chaotic race heavily influenced by an early Safety Car. He’s a true gentleman.
FILE – In this Thursday, March 3, 2013 file photo, Felipe Massa of Brazil and Williams steers his auto during a testing session at the the Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo just outside of Barcelona, Spain.
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As of right now, it’s unclear who will replace Massa at Williams, but the team is reportedly considering both Jenson Button-who’s unhappy at McLaren and mulling retirement himself-and Force India’s Sergio Perez.
