Felipe Massa has revealed that he is open to continuing his long and distinguished Formula 1 career into next year to drive for Williams for a fifth consecutive season.
Felipe Massa looking to continue with Williams in 2018
Massa was not scheduled to be on the grid in 2017 after announcing his retirement at the Italian Grand Prix last year. Following the unexpected retirement of Nico Rosberg after he won the world championship over Lewis Hamilton at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Massa quickly found himself behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car again, with Valtteri Bottas joining Mercedes to replace Rosberg, leaving a vacant seat at Williams.
So far in 2017, Massa has secured 20 points in the first eight races of the season, and narrowly missed out on a podium and a potential race win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix one week ago following a mechanical failure while his team mate, Lance Stroll, finished in third.
Speaking to Formula1.com, Massa said: “I am enjoying it more. It was a big decision to carry on, but once you have taken up that new challenge it also makes you happy. I am with a team that likes and respects me a lot – and they listen to me. That all makes you happy, and that is what you see.”
When asked if he would like to continue driving into 2018, the Brazilian said: “Maybe, yes. I mentioned that some weeks ago, yes. Things are going well. I feel very competitive, as I like the car that I am driving. I love the new rules. For my driving style everything works very well. The only thing that has to be sorted out is the ‘luck issue’! So I don’t see any point not carrying on. But I am not in a hurry,” he admitted. “I enjoy my situation race by race, and then the time will come to make the talking. I am sure it will not take long.”
In his career that started in 2002, Massa has enjoyed successful stints at Sauber, Ferrari, and now Williams, having secured 11 wins, 41 podiums, and almost becoming world champion in 2008, being defeated by Lewis Hamilton by a single point.
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