Sauber Sad to Lose Massa

Massa now appears certain to be joining Ferrari in 2006 as teammate to Michael Schumacher, with Rubens Barrichello switching to BAR-Honda.

Although there has been no official confirmation of the deals, which are believed to have been finalised at the Hungaroring this weekend, Sauber has resigned himself to losing Massa.

"I would have liked to keep Felipe with my team for one more year, but it's too late now," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Massa himself told the same newspaper that he would obviously relish the opportunity at Ferrari, although he drew short of confirming that he was definitely on his way.

"Yes, I'm in a good position, thanks to the good season I'm having," he said. "Ferrari is my dream and it would be a fascinating experience, as long as you have a competitive car, which I would demand from Ferrari or others.

"Being teammate with Schumacher? It wouldn't be a problem: he's my reference point. If I beat him, then it would mean I'm on my way to become a champion myself."

When asked whether he had talked about the situation with Barrichello, Massa said: "No, I've never spoken with Barrichello about it. We are friends, and we go to dinner together, but we don't talk about these things. Anyway, I hope a decision will come soon."