Button and Massa make proud exits

JENSON Button and Felipe Massa made emotional exits from Formula One on Sunday when they took part in their final races of long and successful careers.

Briton Button, the 2009 champion, and Massa, who missed out on the 2008 title to Lewis Hamilton in dramatic circumstances after winning his home Brazilian Grand Prix, were both given warm farewells by their teams, friends and paddock regulars.

Button was forced into retirement after only 12 laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix won by former McLaren teammate and compatriot Lewis Hamilton.

Massa finished the race in ninth position to score points in his final race for Williams, the team with which Button started his career.

“I am so proud and it is very emotional,” Massa said. “I have enjoyed it all so much and will have wonderful memories.”

Massa drove 250 races for Sauber, Ferrari and Williams.

Button, who came into F1 aged 20 in 2000, started 305 races and, like Massa, has been much admired for his easygoing personality.

“Our reliability is something we pride ourselves on – we don’t have failures. It’s so unusual. It’s unlucky, but to be fair I don’t really care,” he said on Sunday. “But it doesn’t change any feelings of my career and ending it. I’m very content with what I’ve achieved. Tonight’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun.”