Felipe Massa, a prominent figure in Formula One, has announced that he will retire from racing at the conclusion of the 2016 season. The Williams driver made this revelation during a press conference in Monza on Thursday. With an impressive career highlighted by 11 race victories, Massa looks forward to his final Grand Prix, set to take place in Abu Dhabi later this year.
Having launched his F1 career with Sauber in 2002, the 35-year-old Brazilian has spent three seasons with Williams since joining in 2014, during which he secured five podium finishes. Reflecting on his extensive 14-year journey in the sport, Massa expressed his heartfelt gratitude, stating, "I must start by especially thanking my wife and my father, my whole family, my manager Nicolas and all the people who have supported me throughout my career. Thank you to God for giving me the opportunities I have had in life and, above all, for protecting me."
Massa's career kicked off with a notable performance in just his second Grand Prix, leading to a test driver role with Ferrari in 2003. He later returned to Sauber before securing a race seat with Ferrari in 2006. Paired with the legendary Michael Schumacher, Massa clinched the first two victories of his career that same year, finishing third in the world championship.
Among his many achievements, Massa is perhaps best known for his narrowly missed chance to claim the drivers' title in 2008. After winning his final race at his home Grand Prix, he found himself leading the championship until the last moments of the season, when Lewis Hamilton's dramatic performance denied him the crown.
A life-altering moment came in 2009 when Massa sustained severe injuries from a freak accident during qualifying in Hungary. A loose component from another car hit his helmet, leaving him with life-threatening conditions. Nevertheless, he returned to the grid with Ferrari the following year, solidifying his legacy with 139 starts for the team, making him their second-longest-serving driver, behind only Schumacher.
“My career has been more than I ever expected and I am proud of what I have achieved,” said Massa. He expressed his emotional connection to Williams, stating, “Finally, it is a great honour to finish my career at such an amazing team as Williams Martini Racing. It will be an emotional day when I finally conclude my Formula One career with my 250th Grand Prix start in Abu Dhabi.”
Deputy team principal Claire Williams commended Massa’s contributions to the team and the sport. She acknowledged, "It has been a pleasure to work with Felipe these past three seasons and we will all be sad to see him leave. Felipe came to us at a time of huge change and his blend of experience, talent and enthusiasm have been an important factor in the turnaround of the team."
She added, "Anyone who knows Felipe knows what a warm and caring person he is, with an infectious personality. He has done a great deal for our sport over the years, and I think every team that has had the pleasure of working with him has great affection for him. I know this has not been an easy decision for him, but we all respect his decision to bring his Formula One career to its conclusion at the end of this season."
"I would like to thank him, on behalf of all the team, for all his hard work over the last three years and we wish him the best of luck for whatever the future holds. He will always be a member of the Williams family and we hope that he will always feel welcome within our team,” Williams concluded.
As Massa's retirement approaches, there remains speculation about who will fill his seat alongside Valtteri Bottas for the upcoming season. The team's announcement is awaited, as fans and insiders alike process the transition out of an era defined by Massa's contribution to the sport.