Felipe Massa intends to have fun and make the most of his last Formula 1 race when he lines up on the grid for the 2017 season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The veteran Brazilian qualified his Williams in tenth place, and it was a top ten to savour as he leapfrogged his nemesis Fernando Alonso in the process, bumping the Spaniard out of Q3. It was a case of: Fernando, Felipe is faster than you…
Afterwards, Massa told reporters, “I want to have fun tomorrow. I have nothing to lose, risk everything you can. Let’s have fun.”
“It’s a good way to retire. You finish with good lap times, good races, taking the best out. I’m happy that I’m finished with my head up and competitive.”
Massa is something of a Yas Marina Circuit specialist, a venue where he has always started within the top 10 and has never finished outside of the points at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“It was good. I’m so happy with the lap. I don’t know how I got into Q3, I was on the limit. We are 10th but I think that was the best we could achieve today.”
“You try everything you can, try the best you can, brake late, go early on the throttle. It worked. Unfortunately, I’m 10th but the lap was perfect.”
Sunday will see the end of a Formula 1 career that has spanned 15 years, including 268 starts of which ten ended in victory and a further 31 podiums.
“I’m finishing with my head held high, and showing that I’m at the top of competitiveness. I’m so happy with what I achieved and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s race. Some points would be great!” added Massa.