Massa bows out after 15 years
WILLIAMS has become the focus of the 2017 Formula One driver market after Felipe Massa announced his retirement from the team and F1 racing ahead of last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Both Mclaren’s Jenson Button and Williams development driver Alex Lynn (currently racing in the GP2 series) are possible contenders for the seat vacated by the Brazilian 11-time race winner – as are Force India’s Sergio Perez and Sauber’s Felipe Nasr, who has tested for Williams.
There was no confirmation either way in the wake of Massa’s announcement, with Button telling reporters: “I would love to make this really exciting, but I have nothing else to say on my future at the moment.”
The 2016 season finale at Abu Dhabi will be Massa’s 250th and final Grand Prix. He made his F1 debut in 2002 aged 21, driving for Sauber alongside Nick Heidfeld. After an erratic year, he spent 2003 testing for Ferrari, before returning to racing in 2004.
In 2006, he moved to racing for Ferrari, spending a year as Michael Schumacher’s team-mate before the German retired.
Massa’s most memorable and successful F1 season was 2008, when he came within a point of winning the World Championship.
He was on course for the drivers’ crown after crossing the line first at the season finale in Brazil, but a last-minute overtake by Lewis Hamilton turned the tables.
On leaving Ferrari at the end of 2013, Massa played a big part in Williams’ recent resurgence alongside Finn Valterri Bottas, scoring five podiums in 2014 and 2015. At the press conference announcing his retirement, Massa said: “I’m so proud to have been a part of this team. Williams had a difficult moment and then we managed to get amazing results in the last two championships.”
Team boss Claire Williams added: “This is a very sad and emotional day for all of us. Felipe is a true gentleman.” Massa hasn’t ruled out a return to racing outside F1 in the future, but says he will take his time deciding what to do next.