I'm sorry to see him leave, a fine driver and sportsman. His career in F1 is an incredible story--robbed of a WDC and a bizarre accident that nearly cost him his life. His return to form was inspirational. Bravo Felipe.
His career carried plenty of ups and downs, a solid racer, thoroughly nice chap, and would've been World Champion if it wasn't for the teams incompetence or a manufacturing fault...
Always a racer. He could be fast everywhere but really recall him dominating at Brazil on more than one occasion. The thing that sticks with me though was his sporting dignity of the year he lost the championship on the last lap of the last race of the year. Hard to imagine how difficult it must have been to face that, and recall the Brazilian fans giving their respect during the podium ceremony. Sometimes the sport is about more than just the results. Hope he enjoys the next phase of his life.
Sad to see him go but, i guess his time was over. he had an amazing carrer and will always be fondly remenbered by the tiffosi. A very fast and very talented driver, but always a bit unlucky. Robbed by the FIA of a deserved w.c. title, he will always be the true 2008 champion to many f.1 fans. I think that just like Berger he lost that edge after his accident so he's a difficult driver to judge, still on his day, he was able to beat in equal machinery drivers like Shumacher, Kimi, Alonso...i guess this says a lot.
Yep, you are absolutely right; Massa had plenty of sportsmanship and dignity - precious values these days ... The sport is ALWAYS more than just the results.
Great driver. Seems like a very nice person. Wonder what he will do now? Guess sports cars like everyone else?
It was interesting to see that he lays the blame for not winning the 2008 Championship squarely at the feet of Piquet Jr for crashgate. I just refreshed my memory on the race and it was the one where Massa left the pits with the fuel hose attached. He was in the pits because of Piquet's 'crash', along with most other cars. He was in the lead when he pitted, but because of the hose problem he finished the race in 13th position, with Hamilton 3rd. I guess Felipe's argument is that without the fake crash he wouldn't have done his pit stop then and he wouldn't have had the hose problem. He could have won the race and then what happened in Brazil wouldn't have lost him the Championship.
No points should have been awarded for the Singapore race IMO. Difficult to do when the facts emerged well after the season was over.
Beautiful wife, cute kid, fat bank account, grateful fans, the respect of his peers, good health and lots of great memories. Not bad at all.
I agree with that and would add that he has the class and good sense to go out the right way, with dignity intact, instead of waiting around to have his contract not renewed and barely hanging on with a third tier team. Great career, well done!
