An emotional Felipe Massa thanked the entire Formula 1 paddock as well as the Williams Martini Racing Team for his time in Formula 1 after ending his career after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Massa finished ninth under the lights at the Yas Marina Circuit, sixth-tenths behind season long rival Sergio Perez of the Sahara Force India F1 Team, and the Brazilian was proud to be fighting inside the points until the very end of his career.
“Well, I’m really proud to have been fighting up to the last lap of the race in the same way I fought in the first lap of my career!” said Massa. “I want to say thank you to everyone – everyone who has been with me all the way, racing together. Thank you to the fans and to Williams, who I will keep supporting in the future!”
This was Massa’s 250th and last race in Formula 1, he continued to battle to the very last lap battling with former Scuderia Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso as both put pressure on Perez.
The Brazilian has received much plaudits from fans and drivers alike, receiving compliments as a great racing driver and but as a much-loved personality in the paddock.
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of everything I have been through. I have finished my career with my head up, the same way I started my career. I also took a little extra care with the car seeing as it will now be my car – thank you again to Williams for that gift!”
