Massa revealed he had taken the decision to quit “several months ago” and had not held talks with any teams – including Williams – about a deal for 2017.
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Going on to spend eight seasons with the Scuderia, Massa clinched his first F1 race at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix and proceeded to accumulate another 10 victories over the coming years. November’s season-concluding Abu Dhabi GP is set to be his 250th and last race in the sport.
“So he chose to stop to give me the opportunity and here is nearly my second country, which I love so much”.
“I don’t see Massa at Indy like (Rubens) Barrichello did, as he did not want to stop racing at all”, Gomes told UOL Grande Premio.
Banbury’s two teams – Haas and Manor – both endured fruitless weekends as neither were able to score points. In the last eight races, he has collected just three points with a pair of tenth-placed finishes.
Nevertheless, though his Ferrari career tailed off ahead of a 2013 exit, a move to Williams at the start of the V6 Hybrid era would prove inspired, the Grove team reviving its fortunes to produce a auto capable of podium challenges.
The 35-year-old Williams driver, who won 11 races for Ferrari from 2006-08 and finished runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in the 2008 world championship, is out of contract at the end of the year.
In 2014, he linked up with Williams to race alongside Valtteri Bottas and has clinched five podium places to date.
“Every team I have been a part of has been a special experience, and not only in Formula One”.
“It is a very sad and emotional day and it is a big decision he has come to”, said deputy team principal Claire Williams.
“He is what we love at Williams, a true gentleman”.
“We were so lucky that Felipe agreed to come and join us”.
He also had two top three placings previous year.
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Williams finished third in the Constructors’ Championship in both 2014 and 2015 but are now just fifth this season after being overtaken by Force India. My career has been more than I ever expected and I am proud of what I have achieved.
