Williams should be bold: Let Massa retire
Facing the prospect of losing Valtteri Bottas to Mercedes, Williams turned back to the 'retired' Felipe Massa. But history suggests it would have been better off backing youth
This story was supposed to be over. Felipe Massa said his tearful farewell to Formula 1 last November, draped in the flag of his native Brazil and waving an emotional goodbye to the sport that made him a much-loved star.
Then world champion Nico Rosberg made his shock decision to retire with immediate effect, Mercedes identified Massa's Williams team-mate Valtteri Bottas as the man it wants to replace him, Williams said he could only leave if it could secure an 'experienced, credible alternative' to step into the breech, and now it looks as though Massa will begin to challenge Nigel Mansell as F1's leading proponent of faux retirement.
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