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Written by Joe Holding
Felipe Massa has announced that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season after a decade and a half in the sport.The Brazilian"s contract with Williams expires at the end of the year, but having stated just days ago that he was keen to remain alongside Valtteri Bottas, it appears that was no longer an option for the former Ferrari driver.With no realistic chance of securing a seat at any of the other top teams, Massa has decided to confirm his departure with a handful of races left to savour, including his home grand prix at Interlagos in November."I managed to achieve many of my dreams and I am very proud of my career," said Massa. "It will be my last eight races in F1 that I will enjoy as much as I can. Thank you to everybody who is around me and follows me in my career."And what a career it has been. Making his debut with Sauber in 2002, Massa spent a year as Ferrari"s test driver in 2003 before returning for another two seasons with the Swiss team.In 2006 he became Michael Schumacher"s teammate in what turned out to be the German"s final season with Ferrari, and it was there that Massa enjoyed the most successful period of his career.In his first three years with the Italian team he racked up 27 podiums including 11 wins and he would have been world champion in 2008 had it not been for Lewis Hamilton"s last-lap overtake at the final race in Brazil to take the title by a single point.
Date written: 1 Sep 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 4861
Felipe Massa has announced that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season after a decade and a half in the sport.The Brazilian"s contract with Williams expires at the end of the year, but having stated just days ago that he was keen to remain alongside Valtteri Bottas, it appears that was no longer an option for the former Ferrari driver.With no realistic chance of securing a seat at any of the other top teams, Massa has decided to confirm his departure with a handful of races left to savour, including his home grand prix at Interlagos in November."I managed to achieve many of my dreams and I am very proud of my career," said Massa. "It will be my last eight races in F1 that I will enjoy as much as I can. Thank you to everybody who is around me and follows me in my career."And what a career it has been. Making his debut with Sauber in 2002, Massa spent a year as Ferrari"s test driver in 2003 before returning for another two seasons with the Swiss team.In 2006 he became Michael Schumacher"s teammate in what turned out to be the German"s final season with Ferrari, and it was there that Massa enjoyed the most successful period of his career.In his first three years with the Italian team he racked up 27 podiums including 11 wins and he would have been world champion in 2008 had it not been for Lewis Hamilton"s last-lap overtake at the final race in Brazil to take the title by a single point.
Date written: 1 Sep 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 4861
