New contract a confidence boost for Massa
Felipe Massa believes his new Ferrari contract will finally give him the chance he needs to become a Formula One world champion
The Brazilian's future at the Maranello team has been subject to great speculation all season, amid suggestions that his place could be under threat from Fernando Alonso.
But Ferrari brought a swift end to those rumours on Tuesday when their announced they had extended Massa's deal until the end of 2010 - adding two further years to his contract.
"I'm proud," Massa said at a press conference in Sao Paulo, ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.
"It's important for me and for F1 in Brazil. Now I can really chase the dream I've had since I was a kid: to become world champion."
Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni added that the team announced Massa's new deal as a way of bringing an end to the rumours about his future.
"We've decided it was the right time to kill off any speculation: we believe in Felipe and this is the demonstration," he said.
"It's true he is out of the championship fight, but it's not just his fault but everyone's. And in two years with us he's won five races and got eight pole positions."
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Jon Noble: An unfair perception or a genuine concern? Lifting the lid on Red Bull’s Tsunoda scepticism
Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial, judge rules
Massa's lawyer: Ecclestone, Mosley involved in "deliberate concealment" of Crashgate
Prost-like Massa deserved to retire an F1 world champion
Is Red Bull a victim of F1's ADUO system? The surprising results explained
Alpine clears first hurdle in Gasly's Monaco GP penalty challenge
What is ADUO? How F1's engine catch-up system works
How a Le Mans powerhouse grew from humble origins
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments