By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
For the second time in as many seasons, Felipe Massa is announcing his retirement from Formula One competition effective once 2017 ends.
The 36-year-old Brazilian retired last season, but following Valtteri Bottas’ move to Mercedes, Williams enticed him to return and team alongside incoming rookie Lance Stroll.
The 2008 Formula One championship runner-up has a pair of sixth-place finishes (Australia, Bahrain) to his show as his best of the season, while also currently sitting 11th in the standings overall.
A career that dates back to 2002, Massa has collected 11 wins, 41 podiums and 16 poles over the course of his career.
The full team release can be seen below.
— WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING confirms that Felipe Massa will leave the team at the end of the 2017 Formula One season.
Felipe made his debut with Williams in 2014. During the last four years, he has helped the team secure third place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2014 and 2015, and fifth place in 2016. After initially indicating he would retire at the end of last year, he returned at Williams’ request for the 2017 season, and the team currently stands fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Felipe Massa said: “As everyone knows, after announcing my retirement from Formula One last year, I agreed to return this season to help Williams when the call came. I have now enjoyed four great years with the team, but my career in Formula One will finally come to an end this season. Once more, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this time: my wife and my father, my whole family, my manager Nicolas and all my friends, colleagues and sponsors. I would also like to add a huge thank you to all of the fans who have been incredibly supportive and passionate over the years. I take so many great memories with me as I prepare for my final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, and although they will be emotional, I am looking forward to ending on a high note and preparing for a new chapter in my career.”
Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal, Williams Martini Racing added: “I would like to thank Felipe for all he has done for the team over the last four years. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him. We are especially grateful that he agreed to postpone his retirement from Formula One for a year, after Valtteri joined Mercedes, which demonstrated the depth of the relationship we built during our time together. We appreciate that it wasn’t an easy decision for him to return, after having such an emotional send-off at the end of last year. On behalf of Sir Frank, and all the team, we give our very best wishes to Felipe for the future.”
The team will announce its 2018 driver line-up in due course.
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