Felipe Massa to drive for Ferrari for another two years
Brazilian driver Felipe Massa has announced to stay with Ferrari for another two years. He has cemented his position in Formula One racing by signing this contract after returning from injuries that almost took away his life. The announcement for contract with Ferrari was made on Wednesday, according to which he is to stay with Ferrari until the end of 2012.
During the announcement, Massa said that he was happy to have the opportunity to drive for Ferrari for another two seasons. The statement has been made just a few days before heading towards the Canadian Grand Prix that is to be held on the coming Sunday.
He also told that throughout his Formula One career, he had always raced with an engine made in Maranello and now he thought that it had become a matter of pride for him. He showed a lot of contentment to be able to keep going with a team that he had always regarded as a second family for himself.
Massa suffered serious injuries during the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2009. Though he was able to recover very well but still it had put a big question mark on whether he will be able to make a deal with Ferrari for one more time or not. So far, he had spent his entire Formula One career in Ferrari-powered cars.
In Hungary, the Brazilian star met a bad accident during the qualifying rounds in July. Debris bounced in the air after Rubens Barrichello's car had a freak accident, which hit on his helmet.
Massa had not been very lucky in 2008, as he missed the championship by only a single point to Britain's Lewis Hamilton. After his unfortunate accident in 2009, he missed the last eight races of the season. However, Massa has a great come back this season. He has shown full determination to win and did not allow the mishap to claim his pace or passion.
His new Spanish teammate Fernando Alonso had defeated him early this year as he won the Bahrain Grand Prix. Alonso now stands at the fourth place after the Turkish Grand Prix whereas Massa secures seventh place with a total of sixty seven points, only one place below Kubica of Renault.
The team principal, Stefano Domenicali said that Felipe has been a part of Ferrari for almost a decade now. He added that he has learned, groomed and grown with Ferrari team not only as a driver but also as a man. He added that last few years had been tough for him and he was going through some very difficult times. But now, he admitted that they have had some great moments of happiness together in the past. He explained that the team wanted to assure some stability for the future as they believe in the worth of this driver who has tremendous talent, speed and ability to work for the good of the team.
Massa had an initial contract with Ferrari in 2001. However, later in the years 2002, 2004 and 2005, he raced for a Ferrari-engine Sauber team.
The Brazilian talent took part in sixty-nine races for the Italian team, marking eleven victories to his name. He had been able to secure fifteen pole positions and podium places on a record thirty times.
Only this year, Alonso, who is the double world champion, joined the team on a three-year deal from Renault. With this pair, Ferrari stands at third position at the Constructors’ Standings with one hundred and forty six points, twenty five points less than Red Bull which stands at number two so far this season.
Amidst all the gossip and rumours Felipe Massa had been able to keep his position safe with the Ferrari. The fans now want to see him secure his position at the top of the drivers’ championship in the upcoming season.
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