It's Official (once again) - Felipe Massa retires from F1 at the end of the season

It was confirmed yesterday (4/11/16) that Felipe Massa will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2017 season, which means the Brazilian will thus be leaving Formula 1 after sixteen seasons thus far, which includes eleven Grand Prix victories.



Massa revealed at last year's Italian Grand Prix that he would depart the sport at the end of 2016. However, following Nico Rosberg's retirement as World Champion, Valtteri Bottas moved from Williams to Mercedes, leaving a vacancy at Williams.



Williams duly prised Massa from retirement and he ultimately remained part of the team for 2017, alongside Formula 3 Champion Lance Stroll, and signalled his intentions to stay for 2018.

However, Williams began exploring options elsewhere, including evaluating both Paul di Resta and Robert Kubica, and the prospects of Massa remaining with the team became increasingly unlikely.

On Saturday, on the eve of his home Grand Prix in Brazil, Massa announced that he will exit the sport after the final round of the campaign in Abu Dhabi later this month.

Massa career in Formula 1 started when he stepped up with Sauber back in 2002, contesting three full seasons over the next four years, include best result for the team two fourth place finishes at Spa in 2004 and Montreal in 2005.



Then Massa signed by Ferrari for the 2006 season, which included eleven Grand Prix in the first three seasons, and almost claimed the 2008 world title, losing out to McLaren rival Lewis Hamilton by just one point after a dramatic season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.



Midway through the 2009 season in Hungary, Massa suffered a serious head injury when he was hit on the helmet by a spring from Rubens Barrichello's car, which ruled him of the remaining races.

Massa returned to Ferrari in 2010, but did not win again with the team in four more seasons afterwards, which prompted a switch to Williams for 2014.



So far in Massa's Williams career, results include a pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2014, five podiums between 2014 and 2015 and a best result of second place during the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and three more chances of winning a Grand Prix.




Should have been F1 World Champion back in 2008 in my opinion. I personally thought he might do another season with Williams or another team at least maybe another season more going into 2018. But, with yesterday's news happening, it maybe the right time to retire from Formula 1. Good luck whatever Felipe Massa does next, as his been a great ambassador for the sport and a great driver for Formula 1.