Ahead of his final home race this weekend in Brazil, Felipe Massa has accepted it is time to end his career in Formula 1 despite feeling he is “still competitive enough” to stay on for at least another year.
It is the second consecutive year the Sao Paulista will go to Interlagos believing it is the last time he will race at a circuit he has won at twice before with last year’s race memorable for the guard of honour he was given walking down the pit-lane having crashed out in the rain on the long top straight.
That would all change when he re-signed with Williams for this season, enabling Valtteri Bottas to join Mercedes, but with the Grove team now looking at alternatives and with no decision coming before this weekend, the 36-year-old has appeared to take matters into his own hands announcing his retirement at the end of 2017.
“Part of me wanted to carry on because I think I’m still competitive enough to race a top-line F1 car, and also because I feel very good at Williams,” he said in his Motorsport.com column.
“But every story has to come to an end at some point, and on my part, I have no regrets. Exactly a year ago I lived the same situation, and then suddenly the team asked me to come back.
“For me, it was a real privilege to do so and something I appreciated a lot, and a year later I am ready to follow a different path – happy with what I have done and what we have achieved this season.”
Previously, Massa has tested and expressed an interest in Formula E as the next potential challenge in his racing career, but commenting on what comes next, he claimed: “There are those who will be curious to know where I will be racing next year, but it is too early to declare now.
“I will consider all the possibilities that I have been offered, and then decide without hesitation nor with the stress of being on track at all costs. I like to race, I feel competitive, and that’s what I want to do.
“I would like to accept a new challenge, as long as it is a professional role and with good prospects to deliver strong results. While I enjoy racing, I want to keep doing it – and keep getting the pleasure that I have always had throughout my career.”
For now, though the 11-time Grand Prix winner wants to enjoy what this time is likely to be his final hurrah in the sport he has competed in since 2002.
“My focus is on finishing the season. I have two more Grands Prix to do, which will be important for me and the team, and then you will see,” Massa concluded.
