Skip advert
Advertisement

Felipe Massa Q&A

We talk to Ferrari's Felipe Massa about his season so far and his predictions for the British GP

Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso

How is the season going for you and the team so far?

“In terms of performance, it's going well. I had three races which were not really great; the first one was Bahrain that I had a few issues on the tyres, a puncture, then I had a crash in Monaco and then another crash in the qualifying for Canada. So taking away these three races, it was good. But now hopefully we can carry on with some good results and [have] no crashes any more.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

What are your predictions for the weekend? Will we see you on the podium on Sunday?

“I hope so! I love the track and our car is quite competitive around this type of track, so I'm really looking forward and we're quite optimistic.”

What's your opinion on Mark Webber's decision to leave F1 at the end of the season?

“I really respect his announcement. I think we all have a time to decide what we want to do in our lives, and he's decided now. He's 36-years old, so it's really a good time and a good period to choose to do different things. I think he's a great driver - he's shown fantastic performance, he's won many races and he's fought for the championship, so I think that shows he's had a great career.”

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

And what are your plans for the next couple of years? Will you stay with Ferrari?

“Well I hope so. We need to wait a little bit, but I think I have the possibility to stay. It's a great team to work with and in terms of the car, it's like a dream.”

What's been your favourite race of your career?

“I think Interlagos [in 2006]. For sure, the first victory is one of the most important ones, which was Turkey 2006, and then the first victory at Interlagos - at home - it's always the most important one. And for a Brazilian, we know how important it is to win at home. It's like our championship, you know? You can even see that Senna enjoyed much more winning in Brazil than winning the championship - you could see it in his face. So the most important race was my first victory in Brazil.”

What's been your most embarrassing moment in F1?

“The embarrassing ones are the very bad races. Maybe one of these was 2002 here in Silverstone. I was very quick but I couldn't stay on the track. It was raining a lot and I spun maybe five times in the race. It was pretty embarrassing!”

Who’s toughest – Schumacher or Alonso?

“I would put both at the same level, definitely. Maybe I had a bit more trouble with Fernando, in terms of performance, as a team mate, but I would put both at the same level.

“For sure, I had a great relationship with Michael and I have a very great relationship with Fernando, but they are completely different, you know. Even Kimi, we had a great time together but he's completely different again.”

And finally, which cars do you own?

“I have a Ferrari California and a 599 GTO, a Jeep Cherokee and a Fiat 500.”

Felipe Massa was talking exclusively to Auto Express courtesy of Shell – supplier of advanced fuels to the Ferrari F1 Team.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Formula One Exhibition London: deep dive and tour with F1 Champion, Damon Hill
Mercedes W09 on display at London F1 Exhibition

Formula One Exhibition London: deep dive and tour with F1 Champion, Damon Hill

Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill shows us around a celebration of the greatest sport on Earth
Features
13 Sep 2024
New F1 movie: plot, cast, 2025 release date, Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton roles
Formula One car - side action

New F1 movie: plot, cast, 2025 release date, Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton roles

A new trailer has been released for the upcoming Formula One film
News
8 Jul 2024
Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari: F1 ace to swap Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025
Lewis Hamilton sitting next to a trophy

Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari: F1 ace to swap Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025

It’s the end of an era in Formula One as Lewis Hamilton agrees to leave the Mercedes-AMG team at the end of the 2024 season
News
2 Feb 2024

Most Popular

Ford Capri review
Ford Capri - front

Ford Capri review

This is no sports car, nor even a retro reboot – rather a capable, refined and well-built EV that happens to sport a controversial name
In-depth reviews
29 Oct 2024
Car deal of the day: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is all the car you’ll ever need for only £287 a month
New Skoda Octavia vRS estate - front cornering

Car deal of the day: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is all the car you’ll ever need for only £287 a month

A fun to drive family favourite offers immense value for money at under £300 per month in today’s deal of the day
News
29 Oct 2024
New Dacia Duster 2024 Hybrid review: electrical assistance suits superb small SUV
Dacia Duster Hybrid - front

New Dacia Duster 2024 Hybrid review: electrical assistance suits superb small SUV

The first ever Dacia Duster Hybrid is a hit from behind the wheel, but better options exist in the small SUV’s range
Road tests
30 Oct 2024