Massa confirms he will not drive for Ferrari in 2014

2014 F1 season

Posted on

| Written by

Felipe Massa will leave Ferrari at the end of the year, he has confirmed on Twitter.

Rumours have linked Kimi Raikkonen to a move to the team next year.

“From 2014 I will no longer be driving for Ferrari,” Massa announced on Tuesday evening.

“I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together. Thank you also to my wife and all of my family, to my fans and all my sponsors.

“From each one of you I have always received a great support! Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining seven races. For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the championship which remains my greatest objective! Thank you all.”

Massa joined Ferrari in 2006 and scored his first victory for the team in the Turkish Grand Prix that year. In 2008 he narrowly missed out on winning the world championship in the final round, losing to Lewis Hamilton by a single point.

The following year Massa was seriously injured in a crash at the Hungaroring and was out of action for the rest of the season. He returned in 2010 but since then has struggled to get on terms with new team mate Fernando Alonso.

Since his crash Massa has not added to the 11 wins he scored for the team. He was on course for victory at Hockenheim in 2010 but was ordered to let Alonso past to take the win.

Massa has started more races for Ferrari than any driver bar Michael Schumacher.

Updated list of 2014 F1 drivers and teams

2014 F1 season


Browse all 2014 F1 season articles

Image © Ferrari/Ercole Colombo

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

209 comments on “Massa confirms he will not drive for Ferrari in 2014”

  1. Thank you!

    That seat was being well and truly wasted since 2011. That also confirms we’ve got new drivers in the two teams who finished 1st and 2nd in last year’s constructors championship – how often has that actually happened?

    1. i agree 100 percent, ferrari have been carrying around an anchor with the last name of massa for far too long now with kimi and fernando they can actually fight for the championships again

      1. Good riddance

    2. @vettel1 : Any chance we see the biggest Rooster of all times back in Ferrari #MSC7Ferrari

      1. @noob personally, I think not a chance. There are much better drivers available, such as Räikkönen or – who I think really deserves a shot in a big team – Hülkenberg. Schumacher wouldn’t be a backwards step, but nor would it be a very forward one.

        1. come on, kimi go to the red team alonso start to make cry baby face all year(2014)
          the outcome………
          vettle in the red team in 2015/16

          1. @yud77 Vettel has extended his Red Bull contract to include 2015, so I highly doubt he’d leave until 2016. That means Alonso will likely stay until then (two years), or they’ll be a major upset and he’ll vacate with a year still on his contract (I think it runs out at the start of 2016?).

          2. Max Jacobson You can be sure that Alonso does not finish his contract in Ferrari
            They probably will replace seats

          3. Shreyas Mohanty (@)
            10th September 2013, 21:03

            @yud77 We’ll see. My bet is on Alonso beating Kimi comprehensively.

          4. @yud77 unless he leaves altogether he’ll be very, very expensive to pay off ;) Or if Ferrari kick him out, which is possible.

          5. @yud77 @vettel1 Pure speculation! Let’s see next year: ALO-RAI in prancing horses :) – Epic .

          6. @spoutnik I would actually like Ferrari if they fielded that line-up, even though I don’t particularly like either driver or the team as it is now. That pairing sounds as if it’d be absolutely epic, especially because they have very similar skill sets!

          7. that **** would be nuts with ALO/VET it would be game over for the rest of the field vettel would win the a high percentage of races from pole and Alonso would have to just mop up if vettel had a problem but with a constant podium finishs from both of them ferrari would dominate both the championships

          8. +1
            but political maneuver by Alonso could lead to similar situation Kimi faced in 2008 …..

        2. It is Raikkonen. It will be announced Monday. Deal is done.

          1. say whattttttttttttt……………………..

      2. It’s more likely to see Mika Hakkinen come back from sabbathical.

    3. @vettel1 I would’nt call it fully wasted though. Ferrari gained a bit through Massa as a supporting driver for Fernando. I mean I feel Sorry for Massa to a degree. If does not match up Fernando, people say that he is not good and if he matches up to Fernando and betas him in qualifying or the race start, he is asked to let him pass by. Hoe can you expect someone perform will and order him to let another driver pass by.

      For me Massa’s exit is a Loss to Ferrari and More of an Individuality for Felipe. I mean, for all said and done where ever he goes next year he does not have to think of being obligated to some one and kept as a Suicidal Pawn for another driver.

      Hope that once the pressure is off Massa’s Back he will start to perform better.

      All said and done his statistics are not mean. He has a very good record with Ferrari. His stats for Ferrari are little better than Fernando to be honest. Courtesy Autosport.com

      FERRARI STARTS
      1 Michael Schumacher, 179
      2 Felipe Massa, 132
      3 Rubens Barrichello, 102
      4 Gerhard Berger, 96
      5 Michele Alboreto, 80
      6 Jean Alesi, 79

      FERRARI WINS
      1 Michael Schumacher, 72
      2 Niki Lauda, 15
      3 Alberto Ascari, 13
      4 Felipe Massa, 11
      5 Fernando Alonso, 11
      6 Rubens Barrichello/Kimi Raikkonen, 9

      FERRARI POLES
      1 Michael Schumacher, 58
      2 Niki Lauda, 23
      3 Felipe Massa, 15
      4 Alberto Ascari, 13
      5 Jacky Ickx, 11
      6 Rubens Barrichello, 11

      1. Yes. Ferrari have wasted Felipe more than Felipe wasted that Ferrari seat.

  2. Finally confirmed. Forza Kimi!

    1. Ferrari would do better to get Hulkenberg in.

      1. I too hope they get Hulkenberg in that seat next year.

        1. I think Hulkenberg is going to be in either way.

          Either ALO – HUL, or, RAI – HUL. I think the rumours about Alonso quitting if he’s partnered by Kimi might have some weight to them. And as Max pointed out further up, it’s not out of the question that Ferrari drop Fernando.

          Either way I’d be happy, I’m neutral on Ferrari affairs, but certainly not on Nico’s future!

  3. It finally happened…

    1. Sadly welcomed… Good luck Felipe!

  4. This feels like him getting one up on the team by breaking the news before Ferrari themsleves. Regardless I hope he finds a team that actually engage Felipe fully instead of using him as a support driver

    1. Agreed, would be nice to go back to Sauber, like a book end to the career. Though it has to be said it would be quite different now and next year too!

      1. A straight switch between Massa and Hulk would be welcomed.

    2. I think its rather Ferrari giving Massa the courtesy to announce it himself instead of first telling the world about his replacement

      1. Absolutely. Allowing him to leave with dignity as opposed to being ‘dumped’.

      2. Absolutely this. Massa is a respected member of the team regardless of his results and there definitely would have been a mutual decision to allow this to happen.

      3. My thoughts too.

  5. It’s a shame but he has had some great times in his career, was so close to being F1 champion!

    Lets hope he has either a decent drive lined up or somewhere else to go, he is undoubtedly very talented, just not the same as what he used to be.

    1. Agreed. Great team player, perhaps too much so. I still think he has what it takes. Maybe a new team can give him that.

      1. @lawfish

        He nearly had “what it takes” in 2008 and since then injury or not he has been far away from “what it takes”.

        History remembers world champions not runners up. Unfortunately for Massa he came close and since then has declined and I have no sympathy that he’s had to play 2nd fiddle to Alsonso who clearly made his intentions knows on & off track when he signed for Ferrari.

        Massa should be thankful that Ferrari didn’t sack him seasons ago as he clearly hasn’t justified his seat since 2008.

        Massa is just another Irvine or Barrichello. All great drivers but didn’t have the skills to reach the top.

        I have nothing against the guy & I’m not a Ferarri fan but I am so glad we will have a team with 2 WC’s and I think we can make an educated guess that Kimi won’t be hoping to be the next Massa

        1. He has produced far more inspired drives than either of those two in 2008 alone.
          History may not remember runners-up but Massa gave his fans all over the world happiness and enjoyment in 07 & 08 – they will remember him in years to come.
          At his best he dominated Raikkonen for quite a period of time. None of Kimi’s other team-mates have come close to doing this.
          He played 2nd fiddle to Alonso, but Alonso is a brilliant driver and not many drivers in the could live with the form he has shown at Ferrari.

        2. Massa should be thankful that Ferrari didn’t sack him seasons ago as he clearly hasn’t justified his seat since 2008.

          I don’t think Massa shouldn’t be thankful at all. It’s just a business relationship, if Ferrari had not considered that he fulfilled his goal, they would have fired him long ago.
          If you were right, then Ferrari should be grateful to him also. No any driver agrees to be humiliated just to Alonso can win a WDC.
          (And yes, I know, I have to improve my english… Sorry about that.)

          1. @andrei I agree with the fact that it is business & big money. But is it humiliation? Most of the time there are first and second drivers in teams. As you said he did the job – for years, more than anyone except MSC.

    2. Today I looked at the images of Massa on that podium, with tears welling up hearing the Brazilian fans cheer him. I want to remember him for that, not sure having a go in another team will do any good.

      Maybe it would be better for him to move on.

      1. My logical reasoning tells me the same, that he will no longer be back at his top form.

        But a part of me has started believing that after he’s been let loose of the Ferrari chains, he may still surprise us. After reading of lots of great comments I get the notion that playing second fiddle to Alonso was the main thing that stifled him and put him on the downward spiral every season.

        I started thinking of Massa-Hülkenberg pairing at Lotus. Sorry Romain ;) I think that’s the only place he should go if ever and the only team that still has the potential to surprise the usual suspects next year.

        I’d really like the guy to win just one more race. And without Multi-21.

      2. Well said @bascb, that was, ‘for sure’ his finest moment.

  6. Can’t wait to see him drive for himself for the rest of the season…

    1. he won’t…

      1. I fear you’re right, but hope you’re wrong.

  7. This is very sad, he was a true Champion before the accident and for me he is the 2008 Champion…

    Anyway i hope Ferrari has the sense to put a good driver there… Welcome back to Ferrari Raikkonen

    1. @ausuma

      “for me he is the 2008 Champion…”

      If sympathy won you world Champions then Massa would have a better record than Vettel!!!

      Thank god you don’t work for the FIA

    2. for me he is the 2008 Champion…

      That’s not a fair judgement. The end winner is always more deserving. Felipe was equally good as Lewis but he failed by a point and you can’t take it away from Lewis

      1. Then Lewis the 2007 champion

        1. Alonso champion 2010 :)

          1. and 2012 )))

  8. OmarR-Pepper (@)
    10th September 2013, 19:56

    For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the championship which remains my greatest objective!

    Why not Stayathome Team? That would be great Felipe!!!!!

    1. Do you really have such a low opinion of Felipe Massa that you’d want to see him out of F1 altogether, or are you just making an attempt at humour?

      1. OmarR-Pepper (@)
        10th September 2013, 21:57

        @colossal-squid Well, Barrichello had a good final stint at Brawn, but there he shoul have retired. His seasons at Williams only left his good race in Hungary as a “could have been better”.

        And Massa can get some goof fresh air next year, but, just in case, I think he should take a nice farewell racing for Ferrari in Brazil, and trying to get the most of it, not accepting any other team order once and for all.

        1. @omarr-pepper I love Felipe, so I naturally want to see him continue, and I think he’s young enough (he’s only 32!) that he can have a few more years. Barrichello could have bowed out, but he stuck around and had a great season with Brawn. Maybe something similar can happen to Massa. Either way, I’d like to see him continue, even if it’s in a lower seat. Agreed on Brazil. If he has one more great old-school Massa performance left in him, let it be there!

        2. OmarR-Pepper (@)
          10th September 2013, 22:12

          good fresh air

    2. OmarR-Pepper,well i look forward to your reaction should he become world champion in future say if he signs with lotus,remember button’s 2009 campaign out of the blues

      1. OmarR-Pepper (@)
        10th September 2013, 22:05

        @kenke I would be gladly surprised. It’s just the skeptical in me thinks his time to ge tsome rest at home has come. Maybe a sabbatical? (but a sabbatical for him would be 99% sure a full retirement)

  9. I like Felipe as a person but I think he should have left Ferrari after 2010.
    Lets see if he will find a seat for next year.
    And i’m very curious to see his driving from now on.

  10. Swap with Hulkenberg anyone?

    1. That sounds like the best idea to me!

  11. I think nobody is happy with his performance in Ferrari for couple of years. But wouldn’t it be great to see him drive in another team and be successful? I’d like to see that happen! Rubens did get his chance after Ferrari with Brawn GP.

  12. I knew this is coming…still sad, but it is inevitable.

    1. Same, like you said it was inevitable but didn’t realize I’ll feel sad about it.

    2. Sad? I feel like dancing!

  13. Ouch, well it is of course a good decision, but still lets some bitter taste seeing Massa leaving after such a long career with them, with its ups and downs.

  14. thank you! maybe now I will believe in a higher power!

    lol

    Bye Massa, thank you about time!

    KIMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1. Such an insensitive comment, IMO.

      Besides, it’s no guarantee that Kimi will get the seat.

      1. Who cares? He should left long time ago instead of taking up a seat in Ferrari. They should have let him go so a proper driver could support Alonso by taking points of his rivals. Thne Alonso might have won in 2010 & 2012.

  15. What in the world happend to “If I’m not driving for Ferrari, I’m no longer in F1”?

    Perhaps Ferrari have bought him a spot at Sauber but I higly doubt that, Bianchi is the man they want to do that for.

    1. He changed his mind? He’s allowed :-P

    2. @force-maikel – I would imagine the he’ll retire at the end of season. There could be a seat at Lotus if they want to get rid of Grosjean, but that’s the only scenario in which I can envisage Massa ending up in F1 next year. Like Webber, his time has come. He’s had a great and long lived run right at the front of field fighting for wins, poles and podiums in arguably the most prestigious seat in motorsport, so I highly doubt a few seasons in a horribly oversteering Caterham just to delay the inevitable retirement from F1 would appear to him all that greatly. Also, although Massa is genuinely one of the nicest guys in the paddock, his exit would free up another seat to be filled by the great young talents of Magnussen, Vandoorne, Bird, Frijns and inevitably Antonio Felix Da Costa.

      Regarding Bianchi, he almost certainly won’t end up at Sauber. Sauber can’t afford not to have a Sirotkin-Gutierrez, or as Brundle says a “blind leading the blind” driver line-up, unless Ferrari subsidize his place at Sauber with a hefty cheque, a cheque they’ll probably have to spend on Kimi with his love of ice cream and vodka. Bianchi has a better shot at a Force India seat. Despite some sporadic good performances, from what I hear Sutil is as good as gone, and it seems to be a choice between Bianchi and Calado for that.

  16. FINALLY, a proper decision by Ferrari after years of “Never Saying No To Fernando” :D

  17. Massa has achieved a lot in his career and he will always be remembered for his flawless drive during the most important race of his life at Interlagos 2008.

    That said, he’s been far, far off his best for a good while now. Has not deserved to be in a top seat like he has based on his performances over the past three seasons.

    1. I disagree… In My opinion, massa did a good 2008 season… all the other ones were mediocre, or poor… Even today I don’t know why he went to Ferrari in the first place… I think he isn’t any better than Barrichelo was… but this is just me… What are your thoughts?

  18. I hope he has a seat ready for 2014, otherwise making this announcement was just a bad idea. If he cant get a seat, he should have just announced retirement from F1.

    1. Better than Rubens did, doggedly hanging on, assuming his drive was safe.

      1. Barrichello chose to leave Ferrari of his own accord.

  19. All the best for Massa in the future! If you ask me, he should now change series. He has still many great racing years ahead of him, and it’s better to use them trying to fight for wins in other series than driving in midfield in F1.

  20. Massa to Force India, Sutil out

    1. I think you meant Di Resta ;)

  21. It’s been fun and at the same time excruciating to watch Massa at Ferrari post his accident. I still believe that when in complete control of himself, he is one of the finest drivers on the grid. I do hope to still see him race, possibly with a midfield team. Force India or Williams could do well with his experience even though he brings no sponsors to the table. Here’s to a different and more relaxed Massa in 2014, hopefully with a team which will appreciate his skill.

  22. Combined with the rumours Kimi will be announced on Wednesday, that rumour is starting to look increasingly more likely…

    For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the championship which remains my greatest objective!

    I really hope he will find a seat for 2014, though I’m not sure how realistic a competitive car for next year will be. I suspect that Alonso is a driver that makes any good teammate look like second class, so Massa probably isn’t as ‘bad’ as we think he is. Still, by staying with Ferrari he has gained a label, so it will be very difficult to find a seat for 2014 anyway, especially considering lots of teams are looking for pay drivers.

    Nonetheless, bring in some fresh rooster!

    1. Yeah I think Lotus is his only chance for a top-drive, and I’m shocked if Hulkenberg doesn’t get that seat. So it’s not looking likely he’ll get a chance in a top-team in F1 anymore.

  23. Somehow this leaves a little bit of a void in my mind. A very likeable character. Never the same person after the accident.

    It is clear that he is not able to match the performance of the front runners lap after lap. Still comes with a great deal of experience which might be useful to the small budget teams.

    Can’t forget his start at the Hungarian grand prix 2008.

    Good luck Felipe. You will always be the Felipe baby.

  24. Bild already confirmed Raikkonen for Ferrari

  25. So let me get this straight… Ferrari has just re-hired a driver that they paid about £10m to NOT drive for them in 2010?

    1. haha! oh Ferrari, such a character in F1.

      On Massa, he sacrificed his quali a bit to help Alonso in the last race, then let Alonso, past in the race. Its true he has not been on the same level as Alonso but when he is, he is not allowed to be. If Alonso had a team mate taking points of him like at mclaren, he would not have been able to get his ‘not the best car’ in a position to fight for the championship every year.

      Massa has been asked to do a number 2 drivers job at ferrari in a sport where no one wants to be number 2. He has done it to Ferrari’s benafit, let Alonso past, taken penalties etc and I think he deserves more respect then he gets.

      The English media are unfair to Massa, Jake was pretty rude here for example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ-uG80MM-k

    2. No, all that’s confirmed is that one of their current drivers has announced they are leaving…

  26. Does this mean we will see the most unlikely pairing in F1 history?

    Kimi & Rob Smedly??????

    1. Ha ha. I love that idea!

      Rob: “C’mon boy, go get it!”
      Kimi: “Shut up, I’m trying to drive here. I know what I’m doing!”

  27. Now all we have to wait for news on is where Massa is going if he’s staying in F1…..paws off the spare Lotus seat, that’s Hulkenberg’s!!

  28. Yeah. I’m conflicted right now. It’s sad, because I’ve liked Massa since his crash happy Sauber days, through his brilliant first three years at Ferrari – who could forget his two wins on home soil – and the drama of 2008. People have forgotten that at the end of the 2008 season Massa was very highly regarded as a driver, talked of in the same breath as Hamilton and Raikkonen.

    Then that crash happened and he never really has captured his ’08 form. So I’m sad that his career hasn’t panned out the way many expected, but I’m relieved that he is out of Ferrari from a pure performance standpoint, as he has been too frequently woeful in his performance since 2010. Now I’m excited for the future of Ferrari! Alonso and Raikkonen, two of the greats of this generation of drivers, together? It’ll either be the making or ruination of the Domenicali era at Ferrari.

    As a Ferrari fan, after all that he’s done for the team, and despite his performance issues over the past four seasons, I say thank you Felipe.

    1. I think this sentiment is something all f1 fans can share. He is a great guy

      1. Nice guys finish last.

        1. and vettel’s finish first

    2. What an absolutely fantastic comment.

  29. I worry he’ll go the way of Heikki – spend a year or two at the back of the grid before disappearing relatively anonymously. It would be a shame to see his career end like this so lets hope he gets a seat that is at least regularly capable of points.

    1. @mouse_nightshirt He already made it very clear that he’d not drive for the new teams. He might consider Force India or Sauber, but no way he’s going to Caterham or Marussia.

  30. Wow, it feels like the end of an era. It’s true that Felipe hasn’t won a lot, but he’s been in a Ferrari for quite a long time.
    Leaving Ferrari was the best thing to do for both Massa and Ferrari. I don’t know if Massa is going to have a seat next year, if he doesn’t, he should try some new series. I honestly believe he can be very competitive, even if his last few years were a disaster.

  31. The celebrations in the comments page sadden me. :-(

    He was always one of my favorites, and Felipe will be missed. Never forget Brazil 2008. ;-(

    1. I have very mixed feelings about this: On the other hand, you could say that it was about a time for Ferrari to get rid of him, because he has under-performed so badly the last 4 years. But still, he was one my favorite-drivers too (and I’m not a Ferrari-fan) so I’m a bit sad to see him going. But to be honest, I think it would be good for him to go somewhere else, because he’s clearly not going to reach anything in F1 anymore.

    2. @kingshark I’m personally celebrating that Ferrari are hopefully going to move on from their clear one rooster policy. Although that said, Massa really wasn’t worthy of that seat since 2011 and it’s naive to think anything else. Brazil 2008 was a long time ago…

  32. He’ll be remembered prominently in F1 for featuring in one of the most dramatic seasons in its history. But this has been long overdue, and I don’t see what options he has. Ferrari would surely want Bianchi in at Sauber, and I see Lotus going with Grosjean and Hulkenberg.

    1. @deej92 Bianchi at Sauber? and what will poor Sirotkin do?

      1. Sirotkin is anything but poor ;)

      2. @noob Drive the other Sauber ;)

      3. OmarR-Pepper (@)
        10th September 2013, 20:50

        @deej92 probably Sirotkin has enough money / sponsors to bring Bianhi in and Gutierrez out.

        1. @omarr-pepper That’s what I’m thinking. Ferrari could also offer an engine subsidy to Sauber if they put him in a seat, so Bianchi saves them money while Sirotkin makes them money.

        2. @vettel That would be a very good plan for Sauber . They will still have a genuinely quick guy with a prospective ‘quick’ in the making..

  33. How about Kimi to ferrari, hulkenberg to lotus and massa to sauber.

    1. Kimi and Hulk to Ferrari. Alonso to Lotus.

  34. I hope Massa can get one more win before the end of the season, perhaps if there is the opportunity late on after Fernando is mathematically out of the championship battle he could return one of the many favours he owes Felipe, – maybe even in Brazil? What chance of Alonso actually doing something for someone else? very low but you never know.

  35. This also confirms Ferrari and Alonso know the Championship is over.

  36. As many have said, Massa was a great driver during his first three years at Ferrari and of course he’ll be remembered for 2008 Brazil. However, he’s been wasting a top seat since 2010 and I’m glad he’s finally leaving the team. Yet unlike many, I think it wasn’t the 2009 accident but rather the 2010 Hockenheim and later submitting to his role as a clear number two driver that made Felipe a shadow of his former self.

    Unless Massa is able to gather some sponsor money, I highly doubt he’ll find a seat for next season. Those teams that are hiring talent over money have better options than Felipe.

    1. I believe it was Nurburgring 2007 that showed Felipe’s character in the post race, pre-press conference room. You could see Fernando had a more dominant character than Felipe.

      I’m sure Felipe knew Fernando would be difficult once he they were confirmed as team mates.

  37. Well more than any other driver Massa is a gentleman. He did great, for some reason he has not been able to deliver. Wish him the best.

  38. Massa’s announcement in full.

    From 2014 i will no longer be driving for Ferrari. I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together. Thank you also to my wife and all of my family, to my fans and all my Sponsors. From each one of you I have always received a great support! Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining 7 races. For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective!

    Thank you all.
    Felipe

  39. I find it somewhat saddening to see Massa leaving Ferrari, even though I feel this is the right thing for the team. Hopefully people will remember his Ferrari career best for his performances prior to that awful accident he suffered.

    I will never forget Brazil 2008 when he was crying on the team radio after he heard the news that he’d lost the championship, I felt so emotional hearing him.

    1. @slr beautiful comment. I really hope people remember him in that way too.

    2. Completely agreed. I know that’s how I’ll remember his time with Ferrari. The character he showed after climbing out of the car after Brazil 2008 was the essence of sportsmanship. He’s truly one of the ‘good guys’ of F1, and I hope we continue to see him on the grid for a few more years.

  40. This makes me wonder for the future of the Brazilian GP. It’s been dogged by rumours for a while and correct me if I’m wrong but this will be the first time in decades that there won’t be a Brazilian driver on the grid. Thinking back I can recall the big Brazilian names of Massa- who followed Barrichello- who followed Senna- who followed Piquet Snr and I can’t think of who came before that so that’s going back to the 70s.

    As a Ferrari fan, I hope they go for Hulkenberg; he’s the future. They ditched Kimi once, I’m not that convinced about him given that Massa edged him when they were team mates and it’ll only end up annoying Alonso and given that Ferrari can’t build a decent car Fernando’s their greatest asset right now. Kimi would be interesting though because pace wise him and Felipe were always pretty equal, if Kimi goes up against Fernando then it might give some insight into whether Felipe ever really recovered after Hungary. It’s a very rough guide though given the time that has gone by and the changes the cars have gone through.

    I’m a huge Massa fan because for me he was one of the few drivers who never had anything handed to him, was actually a nice guy and had some sense of honour. People may disagree with that last point because of the team orders thing but it depends how you measure honour and I think it takes a lot to be kicked in the gut like that but still fight for a career and a team that’s backing someone else. Drivers love to feel that the teams around them and Felipe hasn’t had that feeling in years, it must have been hell. I don’t know what will happen with his career but he’s given me some amazing moments as a fan. I’ll never forget his wild Sauber days, his truly stunning Monaco and Singapore poles, his grace in defeat at Brazil and his pugnacity when he came back from that awful accident to take a podium at Bahrain and fight Alonso for a win at Germany. He’s shown some flashes of great pace- particularly at the beginning of the season and qualifying at Spa over the last couple of years- but even when he was quick he always seemed to have some sort of issue with either his strategy going wrong during q3 at Monza 2010, being denied a change of tyres at Silverstone 11 so Alonso could pit, or random failures and crashes which made Mark Webber seem lucky. Cheers for being the driver on the grid that I had such huge respect for, Felipe.

    Ferrari, you’re pure evil for splitting up Medley. Listening to radio transmissions will never be fun again.

    And for the last time ever- YES, HE COULD DRIVE IN THE WET.

    1. well said truly surmising what a stunning racer and person Felipe Massa is. I hope he stays in #F1 in 2014 with a competitive team and regain his lost confidence (or whatever it is) . We have seen fortunes turn in F1 and Reubens did win after leaving Ferrari at the age he was so nothing is impossible. If he has a good run post 2013 he can also act as a motivational figure for Young Brazilian drivers making their foray into single seat racing and could provide the sport with another talent in that way before he hangs the helmet for good. That said, I would personally love to see Felipe driving and winning races for Force India and bring back the racer who made us cry with him on that night of the 2008 Brazilian GP.

    2. There has been a Brazilian driver in every season (maybe every race?) since the Emmerson Fittipaldi era. If F1 ends up without a Brazilian in 2014, it’ll be the first time in about 40 years!

      1. Felipe Nasr will probably manage to land a seat next year….

  41. Felipe Massa is a fine gentleman and has had a pretty remarkable racing career. Very few F1 drivers will ever be close to being champion or even tie for championship points in a season. Massa has not been one of my favorite drivers over the years, but I do like him as a person and respect his driving ability when he is in his best form. He deserves the utmost respect for fighting his way back into F1 after his terrible injury. Massa is a nice guy and not a ruthless racer like some. There is a fine line between the two that makes a great racer at the right time. My benchmark is JimClark, a nice guy and yet a fearless competitor on the track. Very few achieve the perfect balance. Massa will likely be remembered for being a nice guy and maybe too willing of a team player. I hope he finds a ride in F1 for next season.

  42. Schumacher started more races for Ferrari, but Massa started more races with a Ferrari engine. I think Schumacher started 179 races for Ferrari, and Massa is currently at 184 including his time at Sauber.

  43. In Stefano Domenicali’s instagram account, he has published just some hours ago, a photograph of Raikkonen Helmet… just a coincidence? http://instagram.com/p/eFtb7DRoJq/

    1. Talking about changes in a team, ballsy behaviour by Stefano :) I like!

  44. No doubt his confidence took a major knock after Germany ’10 and he’s never really recovered since then. I’m actually quite sad about this, I’m going to miss him terribly if he can’t find another seat in F1. He does have 10 years of experience, a number of wins, was runner up in one of the closest championships ever and is still capable of fighting for podiums. He’s still a better driver than many, so I really hope someone like Sauber or Williams picks him up.

    If this does turn out to be his last season, then I sincerely hope people remember him not for his lacklustre years alongside Alonso, but for his brilliant performances before his accident. Some of his drives were of Vettel-level dominance, and his often-forgotten performance in Brazil ’08 remains one of the finest drives I have ever seen. Despite the colossal pressure, despite rain showers at two points in the race, he did absolutely everything right. I struggle to think of another performance that was quite as amazing as that. Dare I say it, it was perfect.

    Plus, his dignified actions immediately after the race remain one of the most emotional and moving experiences I’ve ever had as a motorsport fan. And I was supporting Lewis.

  45. Champion for 38 seconds, didn’t embarrass himself alongside Schumacher in ’06 and was better than Kimi for a season and a half before the accident.

    You have to say he has made the most of his talent and you can’t help but applaud that.

  46. So next year may look like this now:

    Ferrari: Alonso & Raikkonen
    Lotus: Grosjean & Hulkenberg
    Sauber: Massa/Gutierrez & Sirotkin

    Next season will be interesting!

  47. i said he needed to be replaced, but now i know its happening i’m quite sad, i love felipe, unfortunately he’s never been the same since his incident, i will miss him being a ferrari driver, will never forget his 2008 season. I hope he gets a decent drive somewhere, maybe a even a straight swap with raikkonen and felipe goes to lotus? (probably unlikely) he’s good enough for a drive elsewhere, unfortunately he’s not a pay driver, and this could really hinder his chances (amazing that someone like Sirotkin looks certain for a drive, yet massa is a question mark) i guess this is modern f1 and we all need to get used to it

  48. GOD YEEES!!! Finally some common sense from Ferraris side! Huh ^^

    1. And if massa was your Dad,you wouldd agree!

  49. Ferrari : Kimi and Alonso
    Lotus: Hulkenberg and Grosjean
    Mercedes: Hamilton and Rosberg
    Red Bull: Vettel and Webber
    McLaren: Button and Perez
    FA: Calado and Di Resta
    Sauber: Sirotkin and Gutierrez

    What drive does Massa think he can get where he can win races, because I can’t see anything out there? Even if Sauber could somehow produce a miracle car next year they haven’t got any money to pay Felipe.

    1. Red Bull: Vettel and Ricciardo!

  50. All else apart… @Keith Collantine I am quite annoyed by your choice of picture for this post… you could have had plenty of better pictures of Felipe to post here.

    1. Yes, not the best is it? Looks as though he’s got that top on backwards.
      “Wadda you mean, the zip goes up the front?”

      1. did u want Massa crying in a photo?

  51. anyone else seen stefano domenicali’s latest tweet?

    picture of a new Ferrari helmet with “iceman” written on the side under the title of #helmet2014

    1. on his instagram

      1. i suppose the only question mark is whether that twitter/instgram account is real

    2. Todd (@braketurnaccelerate)
      10th September 2013, 22:05

      Link?

      Stefano Domenicali is not listed on F1 Fanatic’s Twitter Guide, so I seriously doubt the authenticity of that page. https://www.racefans.net/f1-information/f1-twitter/

        1. Todd (@braketurnaccelerate)
          11th September 2013, 9:15

          @scuderia29 – Unfortunately the pieces just don’t add up. I think that’s a fake account. The helmet picture is a photoshopped image of Kimi’s 2007 helmet with Kaspersky logos and the newer “Marlboro” Scuderia logo. The other pictures are all very very generic press pictures. If it were his real instagram account, I could only imagine there would be more candid and personal pictures on it, not just press pics.

  52. Mixed feelings on this one. His races results were often compromised to help Alonso, as was the case again at Monza. Some of the Ferrari problems can be attributed to the need for better drivers, but some of them seem to stem from a dysfunctional setup within the team. Unless they treat Massa’s replacement – whoever he may be – a bit better, things will stay the same there.

  53. How about Hulk & Massa at Lotus??
    The first lap nutcase may take rest…

  54. Can’t believe some of the gloating, mean spirited comments regarding this. Massa has deserved criticism and negative reaction for many of his performances over the past four years, but the amount of glee and disrespect being shown by some commenters that purport to be Ferrari fans, or F1 fans, is saddening.

    In recent seasons Felipe Massa may not have delivered the results he should have, but he’s always carried himself with honour and dignity, and been incredibly loyal to his team. His character shown in these matters should be respected.

    1. +1

      I absolutely agree with all of that.

      1. Also, it’s a shame to see that a lot of people making such comments are the same people who think that booing Vettel is ‘disgusting’. Talk about double standards…

        1. @jackysteeg for me personally I’m not at all celebrating Massa leaving, I’m celebrating the likely following of Räikkönen or Hülkenberg driving alongside Alonso. Either will be easily the best line-up on the current grid.

          So no, not disrespect towards Massa. Congratulations towards Ferrari.

    2. Yes, I think you’re absolutely right. But it’s a shame that his team seems to have asked so much of him while seeming to give so little in return.
      He doesn’t seem to have driven at his best consistently since the Hungary accident, but he has consistently worked to the advantage of the team.
      With Massa, and unlike most other F1 drivers, the ego is not rampantly on display. It’s easy to say that nice guys finish second, but maybe this is a case that proves it.
      Apart from that, all drivers in F1 have a ‘sell by’ date when their energies and abilities start to decline. I think Button and possibly Sutil are reaching theirs. If they should join Massa and Webber in this winter’s exit, who else would join; Nasr, Wickens?

    3. @colossal-squid don’t think of it as disrespect towards Massa, rather glee at the prospect of Ferrari having a stormingly good line-up for next season. What isn’t to celebrate about that?

      1. @vettel1 If that’s all you take from some of the comments then I don’t know what to say. Some people (and I won’t point fingers) clearly are not just excited about a great line-up at Ferrari next year.

    4. I agree. It shows a lack of class to kick a man when he is down.

    5. Agree with this (although I think the comments are mostly aimed at Ferrari, not Massa himself).
      I actually feel sad for Felipe. That spring striking him really was one of the most unluckiest things I have witnessed in F1 and it’s obvious he hasn’t been the same since. It’s probably fitting that the last race he will have won will be his home one, albeit in emotional circumstances.

      It’s certainly been a colourful career, but I can’t see it going anywhere from here. Lotus would be fools to take Massa instead of Hulkenberg and Grosjean isn’t going anywhere with Boullier in charge.

      Thanks for the memories Felipe.

  55. I Just hope Massa goes to a team that want him to race, and not to be a second driver.

  56. Felipe has had great initial years with Ferrari. Felipe was the Jules Bianchi for Ferrari at the start of the century and Ferrari invested its hopes in him. Ferrari backed Sauber driver and then a test driver for Ferrari in 2003.

    He started his career very well wth Ferrari acting as a strong support for Michael. Michael later also admitted that he retired premature from Ferrari as Felipe’s seat was in danger from Kimi in 2007.

    Felipe fought hard in 2007 and with a few misfortunes, he was out of title running towards the end. 2008, Felipe truly gave Kimi a run for his money and even more. Kimi was Ferrari’s star driver and tifosi’s hope and it was a pleasant surprise to see Felipe match Kimi toe-to-toe in 2007, 2008 and 2009 until…..

    2010 and he started decently but then was getting eclipsed by Fernando after a few races and then it only got worse in years to come.

    It is fair to say that Fernando has been the toughest team mate for Felipe in terms of raw speed and political mind games.

    For Michael, Felipe was a kind of protege, Kimi was never bothered but Fernando came into the team and ruthlessly toppled Felipe and made him a no. 2.

    Thanks Felipe for the great Ferrari years.

    I really doubt we will see him in a competitive car. There are many young drivers with equal potential if not more.

  57. It’s his dignity in defeat on the podium at Interlagos that stands out for me too. But the way his family rallied round in public and kept the world informed when he was in hospital was extremely moving, too. And since then he’s been underrated. He was superb in Japan and Brazil last year, and has been bang on the pace on occasion this year too.

    He deserves a chance to shine away from a spoilt Alonso, all the Ferrari politics and Rob Smedley’s Wallace-and-Gromit comments on the radio. I’d like to see him scoring points and spraying a bit of champagne with Lotus, or a decent Williams. Sauber’s going down the pan, it’s not controlled by racers any more, and Felipe deserves better than that.

    Or he’d be very welcome where knowledgeable, non-booing spectators go to watch grown-ups racing the most advanced cars on proper racing tyres – the World Endurance Championship. He didn’t say in which series he was looking for a team…

  58. Absolutely, he was well within in that group of top drivers we now consider Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso and Kimi members of prior to his accident.

  59. One option for Felipe which would be a positive but “outside the box” step would be Formula E. Think of the publicity it would garner for them, especially for the brazil round. Would give him a shot at a championship too most likely. Other than that or Sauber then I cant see any other single seater options (indycar has too many known quantity driver options already for him to be considered there I think)

  60. before he became ferrari driver, he spent 3 racing seasons and 1 testing season in f1

    hulkenberg is so similar to him, i.e. 3 racing seasons and 1 testing season in f1

    hulkenberg should be the best replacement.

    raikkonen + alonso would be an aging team

  61. I am going out there and saying Kobiyashi is Massas replacement; I mean he already drives for Ferrari….

  62. Not sure why but I’m sad to see him leave. He has been a great servant and ambassador for Ferrari. Raikonnen is definitely an upgrade although I’m surprised he’s returned given the way he was made to leave.

  63. Raikkonen in for a year with an option for 2015 according to the BBC. I doubt Massa will get a seat in an another team next year in F1. Raikkonen and Alonso should be a great battle

    1. BBC have indeed confirmed the story. I reckon we’ll see Hulkenberg and Grosjean in the Lotus and Massa and Sirotkin in Saucer.

      1. The image of Massa jumping into a flying saucer has made my day :P

        1. And in the final hour of your day no less!

  64. Just like Barrichello refusing to accept that its over. The only thing its going to accomplish is him missing his farewell cake.

  65. Massa letting Alonso pass to win a race was one of the sadest things I have ever seen in F1 (excluding accidents). He was Alonso’s whipping boy but never complained.

    After the accident he was never the same and to Ferraris credit they prolonged his career as it suited them for him to be a number 2 driver.

    Well done Felipe.

    Hulk for the seat. Do a red bull and take a risk!

  66. Some interesting things to keep in mind:

    Massa didn’t announce retirement.
    Alonso absolutely wants #1 status and Kimi is no #2.
    There’s an open spot at Lotus.
    Lotus = Renault.
    Kimi is returning to a team he won a championship with.
    Alonso won championships with Renault.

    Alonso could go to Lotus …. WITH Massa.

    Leaving the open seat at Ferrari, instead of Lotus.

    1. I really like the theory, but I just don’t want Massa to be a whipping boy, regardless of the team he’s in…

    2. Ferrari would lose Santander, Alonso isnt stupid enough to go to Lotus (sure, he won two years, but he had two terrible years there), Lotus cant afford him and… yeah, Alonso has a contract.

  67. Well, I must say I´m glad with this news. It was about time and IF Kimi returns, I don´t see why it should be such a great battle… Kimi did have Grosjean as a team mate… ALO handled grosjean fairly well when they were partners so I for one, am really not worried at all. And to be honest… it´ll be great to finaly see both red cars in the top 5 if they can produce something decent for next season!

    On the other hand, I think we are getting settup for a shocker…. I says Hulk gets the seat! Yup I said it!

    1. I laughed at this comment:

      “Now, Ferrari believe Raikkonen will provide more consistent support for Alonso and prevent any possibility of the Spaniard not producing his best.” (emphasis added)

      1. +1 @hendrix666 LOL I am still trying to understand this statement ….

        1. @tmax Freudian slip perhaps? ;)

        2. That’s Benson being Benson.

  68. Alonso to McLaren? Button left without a seat. Could happen.

    1. I think that’s one of those things that we can safely say could not happen!

      1. That was sarcasm dude. I know this is a Button site.

        on a serious note, he may sign that dotted line quick before someone else does. lol

        1. I know this is a Button site.

          That’s odd, I don’t remember bookmarking ButtonFanatic.co.uk..

  69. Now we ask, what do the Lotii do? Hulk, Valsecchi (barf), Massa? Or someone else?

  70. Lovely bloke, deserved the 08 championship as much as Lewis, sadly it had to go to just one man.

    Was brilliant between 06-08, that accident and the arrival of Alonso was a double whammy anybody would struggle with. Politically Alonso is hard to deal with.

    Hopefully he’ll go to another team and get a 2nd wind, similar to Coulthard when he went to Red Bull.

  71. The boss Fiat finally putting the foot down. Seems they no longer want the Constructors Championship neglected. No-1 driver at Ferrari is out the door.

    1. *No-1 driver status*

  72. I hope Felipe rediscovers his form in another environment. I’ve always been critical of Ferrari keeping him on but I have nothing against him personally.

  73. While I’ve been advocating his departure since 2011, I can’t help but feel a little sad for him. It’s crazy to compare his post-accident results with the great driver from before, but I guess the accident and Alonso’s arrival never really allowed Felipe to fully recover.

    I hope he, unlike Rubens, will bow out with grace. If he finds a seat for next year, I wouldn’t mind, but I’d like to think he is the kind of Panis/Frentzen driver who ultimately never made it and gets put to the side for new talent.

  74. Since 2011, Massa has had no business being in F1 let alone in a car capable of winning the championship. Placating Alonso with an uncompetitive has been a dismal failure. Just like how you can never give enough to a child who gets everything he/she wants, you can never do enough to keep Alonso happy.

  75. It’s a shame that the first phrase that popped into my mind when I saw this article was, “Good riddance”. Unfortunately, Massa has nothing new to offer, and is no more performing consistently as his 2008 self.
    Also, as an aside, I hope he doesn’t get a seat, again, as he has nothing new to offer. I hope Nicolas Todt realises this and works at giving his other ward (Jules Bianchi) a Sauber seat, instead of Massa. I wouldn’t begrudge Massa getting a seat in IndyCar, Auto GP etc. though.

  76. Too bad about Massa – surely that near-championship year was not a fluke. The guy really had some chops. Sad that he was never the same after a random freak accident like that. But now it was way time for Ferrari to stop screwing around and run two serious competitors.

  77. It’s funny how people say that Massa has never been a great driver, or that he didn’t deserve the 2008 tittle.

    Think about it. In his first 3 years for Ferrari, he drove against (2006 – 2008):
    Michael – Ferrari
    Kimi – McLaren/Ferrari
    Alonso – good Renault/McLaren/Renault
    Lewis – McLaren

    The greatest drivers of modern F1 we should say?
    And still, in 3 years he managed 15 pole positions and 11 wins. Something has clearly happened to him, because any drivers with that in the Resume would be considered a top driver.

    1. I agree with you, I believe Massa on his day was a match for any on the grid. He could just as easily ended up with championship as Kimi couldve been without one. imo Massa has fallen short on mental strength and self belief stemming from both his accident and the joining of alonso as his team mate

    2. He was a great driver. We know he was quicker than Kimi. He was never the same after the accident. It was a serious brain injury. Maybe it affected his reflexes, ability to concentrate over the course of entire races, who knows. Plus there’s the whole aspect of surviving a brush with death, having a child. Maybe he just didn’t care like he used to. He liked being in F1, but his attention lay elsewhere.

  78. Chances are Vettel will have sewn up the title before Brazil, so lets hope for a Massa victory to go out on ;) Would be perfect, and he drove brilliantly in Brazil last year so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

    That said, i have similar thoughts for Webber in Brazil following the same reasoning, would be happy for either of them ;)

  79. It’s a real shame to see so many negative comments regarding Massa leaving Ferrari. A near world champion, in a field of champions is what he should be remembered for. Yes his time has come, he has been underperforming, but a unfortunate driver who made a miraculous recovery from a near death experience deserves more respect.

  80. Michael Brown (@)
    11th September 2013, 12:15

    Well at least he’s announced his departure from the team, unlike Barrichello, who tried to hold on as long as possible.

    My 2013

    Ferrari: Alonso and Räikkönen
    Sauber: Bianchi and Sirotkin
    Force India: Massa and Calado

  81. I only started following F1 last year, but I immediately took a liking to Felipe. He is my all time favourite driver, and when I’m older he will continue to be.

    I actually feel sad when I see the Brazil 2008 video. Felipe was one of the nicest characters in the paddock and deserved a WC. I really hope he gets a seat next year, possible openings at Lotus, Sauber, Force India.

    Felipe, thank you for being a great driver throughout your career, even when you were put through blatant favouritism after your accident.

    I will never forget you.

  82. The only consolation for Felipe is that in the last 30 years not a single full season Ferrari driver has finished their career at Ferarri, they have all gone on to race for other teams.

Comments are closed.