Williams driver Felipe Massa has officially announced he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2016 season.
The Brazilian is currently competing in his 14th F1 season and his third with Williams, having moved from Ferrari to the British team in 2014. Massa made the announcement today in an emotional but dignified press conference in Monza, in advance of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. Williams boss Claire Williams was alongside him while Massa's wife, son, father and manager also were present.
Massa’s career in F1 started back in 2002 with the Sauber team, before he spent one year as a test driver for Ferrari.
He returned to Sauber for a two-year stint and was then confirmed as Rubens Barrichello’s replacement at Ferrari for the 2006 season.
Massa spent eight years racing for the Scuderia, winning 11 races and just missing out on the 2008 drivers’ title to Lewis Hamilton.
He then switched to Williams and has scored five podiums for the team so far. Massa is currently 10th in the 2016 drivers’ standings. The final race of the season, and Massa's last, in Abu Dhabi will be the 250th Grand Prix of his F1 career.
"I must start by especially thanking my wife and my father, my whole family, my manager Nicolas and all the people who have supported me throughout my career," Massa said on the announcement.
"Thank you to God for giving me the opportunities I have had in life and, above all, for protecting me. A huge thank you as well to everyone I have worked with over the years.
"Every team I have been a part of has been a special experience, and not only in Formula 1. I have so many great memories over the years and thank everyone in all the teams I have come through to help me get to where I am today.
"My career has been more than I ever expected and I am proud of what I have achieved. Finally, it is a great honour to finish my career at such an amazing team as Williams Martini Racing.
"It will be an emotional day when I finally conclude my Formula 1 career with my 250th Grand Prix start in Abu Dhabi."
His announcement kicks off the 2017 driver market, with a seat opening up at a competitive team. Felipe Nasr, Sergio Perez and Jenson Button have all been linked to Williams.
Massa said that he wanted to announce his F1 retirement in Italy for two reasons. "Ten years ago Michael [Schumacher] announced his retirement, and the only way for me to stay in Ferrari was [for him to] stop because Kimi [Raikkonen] signed his contract before me. So he chose to stop to give me this opportunity.
"[Also] here is like almost my country, my second country, that I really love."
He also insisted that there was no single reason for wanting to stop. "[It's] something to do with everything" he said, "it's something to do with for sure your position in the championship, your performance…some rules is part of that. Also the time, I've been here 15 years as well. So I really want to leave the paddock with my head up and not my head down. This I think is very important, that's the way I am and the way I want to be"
He added also that his decision to quit F1 was made "a few months ago" and that he hadn't been talking to Williams or other F1 teams about 2017.
Massa added that he will now think about what he will be doing in the future, but added that "I love to race".
Claire Williams also paid tribute to Massa. "This is obviously a very sad and emotional day…I know this was a big decision.
"He is what we love at Williams, he is a true gentleman. The spirit that he embodies says everything about the man that Felipe is. We were so lucky that he honoured us and joined our team back in 2013".
