Felipe Massa Announces F1 Retirement

FELIPE MASSA TO RETIRE FROM FORMULA 1

    Felipe Massa has announced he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of this season, despite fighting to keep his Williams seat earlier in the year.

    When speculation began Williams was considering Robert Kubica and Paul di Resta to partner Lance Stroll in 2018, Massa claimed the team would head in a “much worse” direction if it did not retain him.

    But the Brazilian appears to have backed down from the fight for the seat, and announced on social media his second F1 retirement in as many years.

    “I have now enjoyed four great years with the team, but my career in Formula 1 will finally come to an end this season,” Massa said in a statement.

    “I take so many great memories with me as I prepare for my final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi and, although they will be emotional, I am looking forward to ending on a high note and preparing for a new chapter in my career.”

    Massa previously retired at the end of 2016, but returned after Valtteri Bottas moved to Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg.

    “I would like to thank Felipe for all he has done for the team over the last four years,” said deputy team principal Claire Williams.

    “We are especially grateful that he agreed to postpone his retirement from F1 for a year, after Valtteri joined Mercedes, which demonstrated the depth of the relationship we built during our time together.

    We appreciate that it wasn’t an easy decision for him to return, after having such an emotional send-off at the end of last year.

    On behalf of Sir Frank, and all the team, we give our very best wishes to Felipe for the future.”

    The Brazilian has over 260 grand prix race starts and 11 victories, but has struggled to compete with rookie team-mate Stroll this season. He lies four points behind Stroll in the championship standings and has a best finish of sixth this year, compared to Stroll’s podium in Baku.

    Massa was rumoured to be considering a switch to Formula E after his 2016 retirement and even tested with Jaguar. The 2017-18 FE driver line-up has only recently been completed, but Massa could make his electric racing debut midway through the season.

    Speculation continues as to who will replace Massa. Kubica and di Resta are currently favourites, as they satisfy Martini’s request for an older driver to partner 19-year-old Stroll, but Daniil Kvyat and Pascal Wehrlein are also possibilities.

----
Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
No copyright infringement intended
Follow us on Twitter @Bethonie_Boost & @F1Insider78