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Massa willing to carry on at Williams into 2018

Published on 29 Jun 2017 16:35
4
By: Fergal Walsh

Felipe Massa feels fine to carry on into 2018 in Formula 1, after coming out of one of the shortest retirements in F1 history. Massa believed he had raced his final Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi 2016, only to find himself turning up in Australia months later, ready to race.

Williams signed Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll for the 2017 season, but when Nico Rosberg retired from Formula 1 after winning the world championship, Mercedes chose Williams' Bottas as his replacement. This prompted Williams to call Massa up and ask if he would return.

"When I decided to retire I had no expectations to carry on - but when everything changed with Nico’s (Rosberg) decision my mind also changed completely," he said to the official Formula 1 website. "Now I am back in business, back to work and back to preparing myself in the best possible way. And I am pretty happy with how I am driving the car – but I am not happy for the unlucky races that I had so far.

"Two punctures - one in Russia and one in Barcelona! Imagine that. Then the issue in Canada where a car pushed me out in corner three of the first lap. That is a bit too much bad luck I would say. But as I said, I am so happy with how I am driving, with the performance that I can show. I understand the car in a very good way. So from this side there is nothing to complain about - just the thing with the luck has to be sorted out!"

Massa says that he is enjoying the new Formula 1 cars, which possess more downforce than ever. Asked if he has thought about sticking around in F1 for next year, he replied: "Maybe, yes. I mentioned that some weeks ago, yes. Things are going well. I feel very competitive, as I like the car that I am driving. I love the new rules. For my driving style everything works very well - the only thing that has to be sorted out is the ‘luck issue’! (Laughs) So I don’t see any point not carrying on."

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Valtteri Bottas Felipe Massa Nico Rosberg Lance Stroll Mercedes Williams

Replies (4)

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
Massa has looked good this year, but I think it's down more to Stroll underperforming the first few races. Nothing against Massa, but he has little left to offer Formula 1. It made sense for him to come back to save Williams, but staying another year.. what for? I would much rather see someone like Carlos Sainz or Wherlein have a chance to do big things.

Although it has to be said, under the current management, I don't ever see Williams back at the front.
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- Jun 29 2017 - 19:39
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Hardly surprising though, he is a rookie. Though its a tad unfair to say he was underperforming when he were taken out of several races by elements he couldnt control. Though if he continue to perform the way he has done in the last two races or even improve, I'll be happy.
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  Jun 29 2017 - 21:54
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
Why not, he hasn't done a bad job
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- Jun 29 2017 - 20:58
Wolfgang

Posts: 313
Wehrlein would be a good choice for Williams i think..

I think Williams is on the right way with Paddy Lowe, let´s see what the future brings. I also think Lance is going to perform better now with the 3rd place in Baku and the silenced critics..
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- Jun 30 2017 - 07:34