Felipe Massa is hoping a change at the top of Brazilian motorsport can help address the lack of top racing drivers coming through the ranks.
2018 will mark the first time since 1969 that the South American country will not have a driver on the Formula 1 grid, following Massa’s retirement at the end of last year with only one Brazilian, Sergio Sette Camara, competing in F2 in 2017.
The future of the country’s Grand Prix at Interlagos is also uncertain, with finances and concerns over security raised after a number of incidents at the event last November and the former Williams and Ferrari driver admits it is a tough time.
“My country is an integral part of F1 with drivers like Senna, Piquet and Fittipaldi and I am honoured to have been a part of that,” the 37-year-old told Auto Hebdo.
“What worries me is that there is no sign that another driver will come anytime soon. The economic situation in Brazil plays a role, but it is not the only problem.
“There is nothing that prepares them to go from karting to single-seaters and no national series that can prepare them for Europe,” he added.
“Today, when I see F4 in many countries, I think Brazil needs such a championship.”
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Soon after retiring from F1, Massa was announced as the new president of the FIA’s karting federation, the CIK, but mere days later was forced to apologise after a brawl broke out involving a driver from his own team at an endurance event in Brazil.
The Brazilian motorsport association is also undergoing changes with a new president of its own.
“I really hope he will give a new impetus to do something for young people,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner concluded.
