Massa Chasing Final Options for 2003

Brazilian Felipe Massa is chasing a test driver contract with Ferrari after his race options reduced to just one outside possibility, his manager Ricardo Tedeschi revealed today.

Massa, who was hailed as a future World Champion when he made his Grand Prix debut with Sauber this season, has had a difficult year and will be replaced by Heinz-Harald Frentzen at the Swiss team for 2003.

He had discussions over a race seat with Toyota for next season but is no longer in talks because, it is understood, they have signed Brazilian Champ Car champion Cristiano da Matta.

"At the moment a race drive is out the window," Tedeschi admitted. "We hope to have one chance left, possibly Jordan, but it depends on them. They have to sort out their problems first."

Jordan have yet to secure three major sponsors, and Massa, who was tipped at the start of the year to replace Rubens Barrichello at Ferrari next season, could still take up the testing role with Sauber instead.

Tedeschi said recent suggestions that Massa could move to Ferrari are not yet true, but admitted they could become reality. "I have to try all options," he said. "That is an option, but I have not spoken to them yet."

Italian Luca Badoer is a regular at testing in Fiorano and Mugello but Ferrari were unavailable to confirm the future of second tester, Brazilian Luciano Burti, who has tested a lot less than the Italian this year.