Felipe Massa has announced his retirement from Formula 1 today at Monza ahead of the Italian GP 2016 which takes place this weekend. The Williams F1 driver will exit the sport after the current season, marking an end to his 15-year tenure in Formula 1. The 35-year old Brazilian has a career record of 11 race wins accompanied by 41 podium finishes and 1110 career points as of now.
Massa joined Formula 1 in 2002 with Sauber before moving to Ferrari the following year as a test driver. He went back to Sauber in 2004, and again to Ferrari in 2006 where he claimed two wins including the Brazilian GP. He left Ferrari after the 2013 season after acquiring a new contract with Williams, a move that saw him replace Pastor Maldonado. His first podium win for Williams was at the 2014 Italian GP where he finished third.
Explaining about his decision to retire at Monza on his Motorsport.com column, Massa wrote: “Why I chose to announce my Formula 1 retirement at Monza is not an accident. Ten years ago in Monza, a driver announced he was leaving too – and he is one more than any other that had an influence on my career: Michael Schumacher.”
He added that the remaining eight races are his prime focus including his home Grand Prix of Brazil. “Looking ahead, it will be special in Sao Paulo for the last Grand Prix of Brazil. I know officially my last race will be in Abu Dhabi, but emotionally the Sao Paulo weekend will be the real farewell becomes of what it means to my heart.”
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