Ferrari bid farewell to Massa at Finali Mondiali

2013 F1 season

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A heartfelt farewell to long-serving driver Felipe Massa was a focal point of Ferrari’s Finali Mondiali (world final) celebrations at the Mugello circuit this weekend.

“Felipe has been a true Ferrari man and he will always be part of our history,” said president Luca di Montezemolo.

“For all the grands prix he drove for us, for the wins, the pole positions and for those few seconds when he was world champion that day in Brazil, before that overtaking move that always seemed a bit strange to me,” he added, the latter seemingly in reference to the manner in which Lewis Hamilton passed Timo Glock, who was struggling on dry weather tyres on a wet track in the closing stages of the title-deciding 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix.

“We spent some great times together,” Montezemolo continued, “while some others were more difficult, such as the accident in Budapest”. Massa was fortunate to escape with his life after his 2009 crash at the Hungaroring.

“These have been very busy years and today, I wanted to thank him publicly, having already done so privately, just the two of us. It’s time for a change and also to find new motivation. I wish Felipe every success, starting with the last two races of this championship.

“As for the rest of his Formula One career, I wish him the very best, but naturally, behind a Ferrari and anyway, I am sure we will get many chances to meet up again, because life is long and he will always be part of our family.

“When one has a mutually agreed separation, in the best interests of both parties, it can be done calmly in a friendly and constructive manner, and that has been the case this time.”

Massa said his stay at the team, who he first raced for in 2006, had turned out to be “longer than I had ever dreamed of at the start”.

“When I began racing in go-karts as a kid, I had a red Ferrari suit and it’s always been the team I supported. Even when [Ayrton] Senna was at McLaren and [Nelson] Piquet at Williams, I was cheering for Ferrari.

“We began our relationship in 2001 and I have raced for them for eight seasons, which is a very important part of my life.

“I have so many friends at Ferrari and I will miss them, as I will also miss the nice days I spent at the factory in Maranello. I am happy with the way my time with the Prancing Horse turned out.”

Massa has two final races with the team in America and at home in Brazil before being he is replaced by Kimi Raikkonen, who was his team mate from 2007 to 2009.

Ferrari Finali Mondiali 2013 pictures

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Images © Ferrari/Ercole Colombo

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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...

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99 comments on “Ferrari bid farewell to Massa at Finali Mondiali”

  1. This is really nice.

    1. I agree. Ferrari had to replace Felipe, we all know that and they even gave him an extra year, but it just wasn’t working well enough anymore. But they’re doing right by him at least publicly now, unlike in the case of so many veterans who are unceremoniously shown the door. Just look at how Lotus abused Kimi. Felipe was a great driver – but what happened in 2009 surely must’ve taken a serious toll, even if only causing a performance loss of a few % of whatever metric we consider? At least Ferrari are doing right by him, even if Todt’s son being his manager might have something to do w/ it – but then again, why shouldn’t that count for something? That’s why you appt. as your manager the son of the FIA President who was also Scuderia boss for long time. Forza, Felipe!

    2. ..and Massa also thankful for all those engine and exhaust failure for Kimi, or 2008 never happened for him.

  2. In the version of this event that happened in my imagination, Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso were there, too, to pay tribute to their teammate. My imagination is such a nice place… ;-)

    1. I woul’ve liked to attend that ceremony.

    2. Is must be :)

    3. I think Alonso can be excused. We haven’t heard the last thing about his injuries. Hope he gets the nodig from FIA to race. We know next tuesday.

    4. Sounds like a place much like my imagination where Ferrari didn’t treat Schumacher’s move to Mercedes as high treason..

  3. Come on, one more win at Interlagos ^^

    1. I’d love to see that, and Felipe bringing his monster trophy back to get another win engraved on it. He was unbeatable round there for years.

      1. He was the daddy of Brazil!

  4. Does anyone else hate how Ferrari keep on saying Massa was a champion for half a minute in 2008? Sounds pretty stupid to me. It’s like saying Raikkonen was the world champion of 2013 for a few days after winning Melbourne.

    1. Yes. The race (nor the championship) was not over until Hamilton had crossed the line, in P5 or P6. What would Lewis and his pr team say, if his engine had exploded while running second on the last lap? That he was the champion for x minutes?

    2. I don’t like that either. You are not champion until the appropriate cars cross the finish line as far as I’m concerned. For example, Sebastian Vettel was not world champion in 2010 until Fernando Alonso crossed the finish line (and 5th or lower when he did).

      1. Sebastian Vettel was not world champion in 2010 until Fernando Alonso crossed the finish line (and 5th or lower when he did)

        Technically, Vettel was 2010 WDC when Rosberg crossed the line as 4th. @vettel1

        1. The principle remains the same though: Vettel was not champion when he crossed the finish line, as was Massa.

    3. @enigma @kaiie – I think it’s just a way for them to say that Massa was and still is a worthy driver, because logically it doesn’t make much sense, and in that respect I agree with you both.

    4. Who cares? The idea isn’t to shove it in people’s faces or to be provocative or to start silly debates. The whole point of the phrase is to highlight just how close Massa was to winning that championship and also to appreciate his hard work and dedication as a Ferrari employee in the good and difficult times.

      1. It’s fair enough on this occasion, but when it’s repeated constantly it gets annoying as it’s factually incorrect.

      2. before that overtaking move that always seemed a bit strange to me

        I don’t see how that isn’t provocative.

        1. Exactly.
          Unless he really thinks someone on degrading dry tyres on a wet track should be able to keep someone on wet tyres behind.

    5. Luca should have said, Filipe would have been champion if not for Singapore which I always found strange ;)))))

    6. It does spoil this whole thing for me. It is a tremendously nice gesture what Ferrari did, but di Montezemolo making a silly comment about that tired (and ludicrous) old theory puts a dampener on things.

    7. before that overtaking move that always seemed a bit strange to me

      Sometimes I forget what it is about Ferrari I dislike so much. Then a key figure goes and says something stupid, uninformed, bitter and ignorant like this, and I remember all over again. Thanks Ferrari!

      1. Honestly, I don’t understand the comments above.

        Luca and Ferrari were simply trying to point out that, regardless of his recent few years of disappointing results, Filipe was once one of the very best drivers on the grid and as close as anyone can get to the Championship without actually getting it.

        I understand what you are saying, but in light of the fact that Hamilton gained the required position on the last corner of the last lap of the last race of the season, what they are saying is not far from the truth. There was what, 500m in it?

        Pretty close as far as I’m concerned and an extremely nice thing for them to say. They’re just saying, ‘Hey, he may not have had the best results lately, but don’t you forget what he has achieved and the World Title he was oh so close to’.

        Good luck Filipe!!!

        1. You completely missed the point. With “strange overtaking move” Montezemolo suggests that something fishy was going on, i.e. Glock let Hamilton overtake on purpose. And that ist stupid an disrespectful.

          1. It backfires on Ferrari as well: Glock was forced to stay out on dry tyres because Massa’s entourage was blocking the pitlane in anticipation of him becoming world champion.

        2. If you don’t understand my comment in particular (where I specify the overtake being ‘strange’) then you probably didn’t understand what was meant in the bit I quoted. There’s only one implication, as rankx points out.

          Regarding the other comments in this comment thread, I can understand that some people will read it as you said- Ferrari simply pointing out that Massa came oh so close. But as others say, even the way they phrase that is nonsense, as final WDC positions aren’t confirmed until everybody relevant crosses the line. That in combination with the bit I quoted suggest Ferrari have some unfounded resentment.

          If Ferrari only want to say that he came really close, then that is all they need to say.

    8. @Enigma Oh God yes. Heard Ferrari fans say it so many times, but it’s incorrect and totally meaningless.

      1. Steph (@stephanief1990)
        11th November 2013, 15:12

        @enigma @magnificent-geof You know I agree with you on this but I think it’s also a bit mean to say so bluntly on Massa’s farewell. Go with the cut and dry stats but Luca was probably saying it more symbolically than anything else – reflecting on the emotions and when they’re paying tribute to a guy you can hardly blame them. So be pedantic and be right or let them say it just this once as they part ways.

        1. I guess it’s okay for the goodbye but they’re saying it all the time! Though di Montezemolo’s comment on the ‘strange overtake’ ruins everything anyway.

          1. Steph (@stephanief1990)
            11th November 2013, 20:19

            @enigma oh I know. To be fair, I complain every time too but it’s there last do together :P

          2. @stephanief1990 Hm? Sorry, I didn’t understand that!

    9. Me too. I never liked the concept of saying World champion for 5 seconds. That was never the case. The championship was was never over until Lewis crossed the finish line. While I understand using it in a nice occasion like Massa’s farewell, it cannot be used everywhere. It seems as if 2008 WDC was won by Ferrari ( With a * and a foot note “Only for 5 seconds “.) Very Cheap commercial. It is not a Ferrari brand grade stuff.

      and oh that thing about Lewis Overtake of Glock !!! “Big Luca” feels suspicious about that move. Very unsporting. Imagine how Lewis feels when someone says that. If that overtaking move was suspicious then what does Luca have to say about Vettel’s overtaking move on Lewis which made Massa & Ferrari champion for 5 seconds ?

      BTW my best wishes to Massa. Happy to see Ferrari do a proper farewell for one of their successful driver.

  5. Was Domenichali even their? And @enigma Raikonens win was at the beginning of the season, Felipe was world champion at the end.

    1. It’s pretty similar: all Massa did was lead the points standings all said and done.

      1. When Massa crossed the line, Hamilton was 6th…

        1. @f1mre And when Hamilton crossed the line, he was subsequently 5th. What’s your point?

        2. And the race was still going…he hadn’t won anything other than the race yet.

        3. The race isn’t over till the flag and not even then. What would you have said if the stewards had found something illegal on his car and had disqualified him, would he still have won in your book @f1mre?

          Fact is, Massa had a very good couple of seasons at Ferrari, won a lot of races, did some awesome qualifying laps, got to beat Fernando and Schumacher in the same car at times and got close to winning the Championship. I think that is fully enough to feel he had a great career in the team and should be seen as one of the top drivers in the last decade or so.

    2. @viscountviktor Raikkonen actually led the championship at that point, which is more than one can say about Massa in the final race.

  6. OmarR-Pepper (@)
    10th November 2013, 20:06

    Fernando Alonso is the person who most benefitted from al the times Massa was played down by Ferrari, yet he wasn’t there. I guess his backache is so strong that he couldn’t get into a first class seat or private plane to be there for his “respected” teammate.

    1. Did you ever consider that maybe Ferrari did not want him there because they did not want him taking any attention away from Massa?

      Alonso is hugely popular and Massa disappears in Fernandos presence.

    2. Oh don´t be like that… if we thuink like that we should be yelling at RBR for not making a party to said goodbye to Webber and force Vettel to be in the party like a good boy…

      1. I’m sure Vettel would turn up out of his own heart. He’s a good kid.

        1. You are only kidding yourself

          1. @joshua-mesh I doubt I am. Just ask any reporter that’s sat down and talked to the guy.

          2. He’s certainly no Schumacher.

        2. He was playing on his phone in the lobby of thr hotel when RB celebrated marks last race in Europe, so you’ve got that one wrong @vettel1. But I kow he’s actually a nice guy

          1. It wasn’t the only official farewell party though. It was held mainly for those who couldn’t follow the fly away races. There will be the official one later on AFAIK, either in Brazil or in their factory. I expect Vettel to be there. FYI, I’m not criticizing Alonso either. We don’t know the circumstances and what not.

    3. I guess his backache is so strong that he couldn’t get into a first class seat or private plane to be there for his “respected” teammate.

      Or maybe he wasn’t meant to be there in the first place.

  7. It’s indeed a bit sad Alonso didn’t turn up, especially as he was the one who Massa sacrificed himself most for. Schumacher, maybe Badoer and Fisichella would have been nice additions too, and perhaps Raikkonen could have popped up to thank his team mate and the driver he is replacing.
    But to have Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Sergio Marchionne and Piero Ferrari all there to wave goodbye to Felipe just highlights how important and loved he was at Ferrari. And despite what joy the 2008 title could have brought, how can one be sad when he says: “I am happy with the way my time with the Prancing Horse turned out”? Even only driving for Ferrari is a privilege, and Felipe almost turned it into a dream.
    Very nice to see his F2008 hasn’t been repainted, and that he got to drive it to return, at least with memory, to those wonderful moments I remember so vividly in Brazil. I ended in a bad way, but a Formula 1 season is long and brings many joys over its course. 11 wins can’t be forgotten, and his relevance goes beyond those numbers.
    So long, Felipe! I’ll be delighted if you win in Brazil, but I’ll be satisfied anyhow. It has been a pleasure to support you throughout your career, driving for my two favourite teams, and Ferrari won’t be the same without you. Best of luck for the future, which goes beyond your F1 and racing career. Wherever you go, I’ll have a place in my heart for you. From when you set the fastest lap in Brazil 2007, the first time I saw you race, to now, and beyond, you have meant a lot to me.
    You have had the luck to fulfill your dream as your job, and since I am not there, or ever will be, racing against you, your dreams have become mine. It has been a pleasure to share your happiness and your sadness, and hopefully “we will get many chances to meet up again, because life is long”.

    1. F2008 was the last truly beautiful F1 car Ferrari has produced (even if that’s only b/c of changing FIA design regs.).

    2. Now THIS is really nice. :-)

    3. Did you ever consider that maybe Ferrari did not want him there because they did not want him taking any attention away from Massa?

      Alonso is hugely popular and Massa disappears in Fernandos presence.

      1. Did you ever consider he wasn’t critising Alonso? ;-)

    4. Wonderfully articulated @fixy. I share the same emotions. Best wishes to Felipe Massa!

    5. well written @fixy.

    6. Steph (@stephanief1990)
      11th November 2013, 15:15

      COTD @fixy

      1. Thanks, guys, for the appreciation. And especially to you @stephanief1990, as you have supported Felipe as much as I have and I’m sure you feel the same towards him. You may have lost interest in F1 recently but the fact you’re here, now, commenting on this article shows you still care about him! I’ve loved knowing I was not the only one supporting him during recent years, especially in recent years when so many people have condemned him, and I hope you’ll do the same when he moves to Williams! And let’s hope he does well, so you have an excuse to buy F1 2014 and we can be Williams team mates in our multiplayer races! :)

        1. Steph (@stephanief1990)
          11th November 2013, 20:22

          @fixy to be honest Massa and Ferrari (and to a lesser extent Alonso) are the only reasons I still tune in! I’d happily give up F1 if it wasn’t for Ferrari and Massa :P

          I’ll always support him – I’ll even like Williams now! I just truly believe he can be successful and this is just a good opportunity for him. I’ve loved your support for him when generally most weekends all he gets is criticism! We can definitely be team mates too!

  8. It annoys me that they put today’s livery on past cars. In an ideal world they would appear as were. I’m quite surprised actually they are allowed to run the Vodafone livery on the 2006 car.
    But on another note, let’s hope Massa can get on the podium in Brazil to cap off his Ferrari career nicely.

    1. But surely you see in the photos that the F2008 remains as-was in 2008 season, not re-stickered to current livery specs???

      1. I’m talking about the 2009-2012 cars. I can see the 2008 car is as was.

    2. The Vodafone car is more than likely a clients car, therefore not owned by Ferrari. The one parked with Massa’s other cars wasn’t driven, so is basically a museum piece and therefore there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s how the car was when he drove it, that’s why it’s presented like that.

      The reason they put modern livery on older cars is because they’re demo cars. They can’t really run the latest cars. they can at stuff like this but even if they did, there’s no point. Putting the current livery on an older car allows the F1 team to be represented whilst still putting on a show.

      The F2008 car that stayed in it’s original livery is a privately owned car, hence the 266 on the nose.

      NONE of these cars are being ran by the race team, all are being prepared, set up and ran by the Corse Clienti division, even the demo cars.

    3. I guess they don’t want to pass up an opportunity for add money and don’t want to give exposure to companies that aren’t paying them ;)

      1. Marlboro is a dirty word @vettel1

      2. I think i read that was the reasoning for Dennis having many sponsor names pulled off the McLarens @vettel1

    4. @deej92 I think the repainted cars belong to Ferrari who still use them to test – while older, pre-2009 cars, such as the F2008, should be privately owned. If they are, they have a small number on the nosecone!

      1. Good spot. It seems what you’ve said is most likely, but it’s just one of my pet hates!

  9. Your move Red Bull :P

    1. They are going to put Webber in Stratos helium balloon and send him to space to “send him away” (j/k)

  10. Ferrari are cutting the wrong guy – their social media is a joke.

    I do the social media for a professional sports team and although I’m only dealing with about one tenth of the audience Ferrari is I can easily say what I deliver to the public is 10 times better. Social media is usually in everyones backpack or pocket – I don’t think Ferrari understand that or its potential.

    1. Let me ask you a question. Have you ever seen a Ferrari commercial? Or a billboard? Or an advert in a magazine? No you haven’t, for the simple reason that those things don’t exist. And yet Ferrari has never really had any trouble selling their products, wouldn’t you say? Or maintaining the largest fan following of ANY sports team in the ENTIRE history of sports. Or just being one of the most easily recognized and respected brands in the world. All without a single piece of advertising.
      So you see my friend, Ferrari doesn’t need social media, unlike your “professional” teenage girls soccer team (which by the way I doubt is even getting 1 millionth of the audience Ferrari boasts, not 1 tenth like you’re saying).
      You say Ferrari’s social media is a joke. A more correct statement would be that if you’re Ferrari, social media is a joke.

    2. Ferrari were late onto the social media bandwagon. In fact, until recently their drivers weren’t even allowed Twitter accounts. They’re improving but they’re playing catch up…just like their simulator program

      1. Actually their simulator is up to date now thanks to de la Rosa, it can now challenge the others.

        1. Maybe it is now, but they were on the backfoot.

          Infact, ask anyone at Ferrari, they’ll tell you they’re still behind the likes of mcLaren and Red Bull there

    3. The way Ferrari have chosen to represent themselves in the public eye really doesn’t allow for Lotus-esque twittering or Facebook competitions. Have you seen their merch prices? They’re not going to give away 90 euro leather bags to the person who can post the 15th comment on Facebook.

      Ferrari has always been exclusive and been about the brand. Sure, they need their fans, but 1000 fans buying caps and liking their social media pages doesn’t weigh up to 1 Sheik buying 1 exclusive car. They know who to pamper to and who to keep in the loop.

    4. Ferrari trade on over 80 years of motorsport heritage. Their social media actions have no effect on that.

  11. While it’s heart-warming to see the images and video, Ferrari wouldn’t be Ferrari without a strange, sad comment like the one about Brazil 2008. No matter how heart broken I was at the time, it doesn’t make the grip levels or weather conditions at that time a conspiracy.

    1. I doubt he was hinting at a conspiracy, he’s just being Luca :)

  12. Well done, Ferrari! I’t’s quite touching. Tough act to follow for RBR. :-p

  13. Ignorant, I wouldn’t call it ignorant, simply because its not, there are no facts just doubt, nevertheless someone should sue Montezemolo for that. As I’ve said before if there’s any reason to further doubt the 2008 finale it should get solved in some 20 years in someones biography.

    1. nevertheless someone should sue Montezemolo for that

      The case would be thrown out quicker than a set of Pirellis wear out.

  14. Who were driving the other Ferraris?

  15. ciao ciao, bambina !

    hey, Luca looks younger and younger. He must have a youth fountain somewhere.

    1. If by “youth fountain” you mean a fountain of 24 karat liquid gold, then yeah he’s got one of those.

  16. nice shot there of MAS pointing the right way in his 2008 car on a wet surface.

  17. Alonso not there – because of back pain. Kimi not at Lotus because of back pain? Could we see these 2 swapping seats in time for Brazil? :-P

  18. For me Massa will remain always a true “Ferrarista” not only because of the services he has done for the team during his career but because he was a real gentleman, his reaction after losing the WDC in 2008, his comeback after the accident shows his material, and real gentlemans are recognised in difficult situations, i wish him the best in his future career, i wish i was there in the Mugello but anyway Forza Felipe

  19. I would of preferred they pushed out Fernando than Felipe. I believe Felipe is the better driver, but Fernando comes with a lot of money and he is a twice world champion.

    1. That’s ridiculous. Alonso is a much better driver, end of. He’s significantly more consistent and has a better head on his shoulders, so he has greater racecraft and tenacity.

      You may have an argument for saying Massa was an outright faster driver, but then Maldonado is a very fast outright driver and not a chance would I say he was better than Hülkenberg.

      1. @vettel1 Supporting Alonso? What has happened to the world :)

        But I agree, as you have quite rightly put, outright speed is one thing, to sustain the same level of speed over race distance is another. Massa somehow doesn’t seem able to put in those laps consistently over race distance.

        But Massa, like he did show at Abu Dhabi, is an opportunistic driver and if Williams can get a car like 2012, he will be in the points consistently.

        Good Luck Massa. Will be great to see you in F1 next year but strange in the dark blue overalls.

        1. @evered7 it’s not actually that uncommon for me to praise his driving credentials, I just don’t like the character ;)

          Agreed, good luck to Massa and I hope he doesn’t fall into William’s South American driver’s retirement home (as somebody else put it).

  20. Good innings lad

  21. I’ve just read my previous comment about Ferrari. Overreacted… :)) It was a nice event and also clever, the Williams announcement was after this.

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