Felipe Massa will not race for Ferrari in 2014
Posted: 10.09.2013
Source: Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa on his Twitter feed:
“From 2014 I will no longer be driving for Ferrari.
“I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together.
“Thank you also to my wife and all of my family, to my fans and all my sponsors. From each one of you I have always received a great support!
“Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining seven races.
“For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the championship, which remains my greatest objective.”
Domenicali: “Felipe, a real team player. Welcome back Kimi!”
Posted: 11.09.2013
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 11 September – Stefano Domenicali has stood alongside Felipe Massa for all twelve years that the Brazilian has been involved with Scuderia Ferrari and what he had to say on the day after the announcement that this long chapter was coming to a close was hearfelt.
“I wish to thank Felipe with all my heart and also on behalf of all our fans around the world, for the extraordinary job he has done for the team over so many years,” commented Domenicali on www.ferrari.com. “Felipe has always behaved like a real team player. Together we have lived through some great times and also a few dramatic moments, which have helped to cement a truly unique relationship on both a professional and personal level. He will always be part of our family and we wish him all the very best for the future. Now we must concentrate all our efforts on the remaining seven races of the season and we know that, as always, we can count on Felipe’s contribution, while we work together to reach our goals. Our determination will not waver one iota right to the very end.”
As one chapter comes to a close, another one resumes after a break. “I am pleased to welcome Kimi back to the Scuderia, the team with which he won his World Championship title,” concluded Domenicali. “I sense he is very happy to be returning to Maranello and very determined to tackle the work that awaits him in the best way possible.”
“I wish to thank Felipe with all my heart and also on behalf of all our fans around the world, for the extraordinary job he has done for the team over so many years,” commented Domenicali on www.ferrari.com. “Felipe has always behaved like a real team player. Together we have lived through some great times and also a few dramatic moments, which have helped to cement a truly unique relationship on both a professional and personal level. He will always be part of our family and we wish him all the very best for the future. Now we must concentrate all our efforts on the remaining seven races of the season and we know that, as always, we can count on Felipe’s contribution, while we work together to reach our goals. Our determination will not waver one iota right to the very end.”
As one chapter comes to a close, another one resumes after a break. “I am pleased to welcome Kimi back to the Scuderia, the team with which he won his World Championship title,” concluded Domenicali. “I sense he is very happy to be returning to Maranello and very determined to tackle the work that awaits him in the best way possible.”
Alonso: “Thanks Feli!”
Posted: 11.09.2013
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 11 September – In Formula 1, having to change team-mates is part of the job. For four seasons, Fernando Alonso has shared the Scuderia Ferrari garage with Felipe Massa and the day after news broke that the Brazilian would be leaving, the Spaniard had this to say: “I want to thank Felipe for all the support he has given me and the team during this journey we have made together over all these years. Come the end of the season, it will not be easy to say goodbye to a team-mate like him. He has always been truly professional and loyal to the team and I am sure that right to the end, he will do his utmost for the Scuderia that he loves so much.” Through www.ferrari.com, he also had a word for Kimi Raikkonen. “I’d like to welcome my new travelling companion: together, starting next year, we will have to tackle a very demanding technical and racing challenge.”
Felipe Massa – a place in Ferrari’s history
Posted: 11.09.2013
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 11 September – When he first joined Ferrari, he was little more than a kid and he will leave at the end of this season as a man, after twelve years in which the relationship between the two parties was not just professional, but became ever stronger and closer on the personal front. There were times of great joy and disappointment in racing terms, while there were also moments of drama and gestures of mutual respect and loyalty.
At the end of 2001, Felipe Massa was seen by Ferrari as a youngster to bank on for the future, to be given a chance to evolve under the wing of a master like Michael Schumacher and of another Brazilian, Rubens Barrichello, who was tasked with flying the green and yellow flag in a Formula 1 that was bereft of the legend that was Ayrton Senna. Felipe had just won the European F3000 Championship and was seen as one of the best talents of his generation. The next step in the relationship saw him make his Formula 1 debut just a few months later, at the wheel of a Ferrari-powered Sauber. Indeed, engines built in Maranello have been a constant factor as, in every single one of the 185 Grands Prix in which he has competed, he has had one installed behind the cockpit. From 2002 to 2005, he raced for Sauber, apart from 2003 when spent the year as a test driver for the Prancing Horse. Since then, the Brazilian has spent the past eight years racing for the Scuderia. The dream, one he shares with all drivers, of becoming World Champion has not happened, but Felipe has earned his place as part of Ferrari’s history. This isn’t just an emotional appraisal, which would be natural at a time like this when announcing his departure, because the numbers confirm the fact irrefutably. Only Michael Schumacher on 179, has taken part in more Grands Prix for the team than Felipe who has driven in 132; only three drivers, again Schumacher (72,) Lauda (15) and Ascari (13,) have won more times than Felipe and only two, Schumacher of course (58) and Lauda (23,) have secured more pole positions than the Brazilian (15.) He has stood on the podium 36 times, set 14 fastest race laps and scored a total of 756 points. None of these numbers are set in stone yet: there are still seven Grands Prix to go this season in which he can increase those figures and you can be sure that Felipe and the entire Scuderia will be doing everything to succeed in that.
At the end of 2001, Felipe Massa was seen by Ferrari as a youngster to bank on for the future, to be given a chance to evolve under the wing of a master like Michael Schumacher and of another Brazilian, Rubens Barrichello, who was tasked with flying the green and yellow flag in a Formula 1 that was bereft of the legend that was Ayrton Senna. Felipe had just won the European F3000 Championship and was seen as one of the best talents of his generation. The next step in the relationship saw him make his Formula 1 debut just a few months later, at the wheel of a Ferrari-powered Sauber. Indeed, engines built in Maranello have been a constant factor as, in every single one of the 185 Grands Prix in which he has competed, he has had one installed behind the cockpit. From 2002 to 2005, he raced for Sauber, apart from 2003 when spent the year as a test driver for the Prancing Horse. Since then, the Brazilian has spent the past eight years racing for the Scuderia. The dream, one he shares with all drivers, of becoming World Champion has not happened, but Felipe has earned his place as part of Ferrari’s history. This isn’t just an emotional appraisal, which would be natural at a time like this when announcing his departure, because the numbers confirm the fact irrefutably. Only Michael Schumacher on 179, has taken part in more Grands Prix for the team than Felipe who has driven in 132; only three drivers, again Schumacher (72,) Lauda (15) and Ascari (13,) have won more times than Felipe and only two, Schumacher of course (58) and Lauda (23,) have secured more pole positions than the Brazilian (15.) He has stood on the podium 36 times, set 14 fastest race laps and scored a total of 756 points. None of these numbers are set in stone yet: there are still seven Grands Prix to go this season in which he can increase those figures and you can be sure that Felipe and the entire Scuderia will be doing everything to succeed in that.
Domenicali looking back and ahead
Posted: 11.09.2013
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 11 September –It’s been a busy time today in Maranello. Yesterday evening, Felipe Massa tweeted his farewell to the Scuderia, which will come at the end of a twelve year saga and this lunchtime, it was confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen, who has already played a significant part in the history of the most successful team in Formula 1, is on his way back.
We asked Stefano Domenicali to explain exclusively to www.ferrari.com the reasons for the change.
“When you make a change, it’s always with the aim of improving and that is what we are trying to achieve by bringing back to Maranello a very experienced, talented and determined driver like Kimi. For a few years now, we have been working on a refurbishment programme in all areas- our buildings, organisation, work methods – and now we have in place another building block, in the structure of the Ferrari of the future. For the first time, we will have a driver pairing made up of two world champions, which in itself is already significant, as they are the sort to always try and win and they can help each other by aking valuable points off our rivals. Having said that, we are well aware that without a competitive car, not even Superman can win. So our priority on a daily basis is always the same, namely to give our drivers a car capable of always fighting for the top place.”
Some say that the Alonso-Raikkonen pairing is a Dream Team, while others reckon that it won’t work having two cockerels in the same hen house. Will something change in the way the team is run or in its relationship with Fernando?
Nothing will change in the way the team is run. Since the world began, our drivers have always started on equal terms. It’s always been that way and always will. Then, during the course of the season, if the situation is such that one driver can help the other based on the points table, it’s logical and right that it should happen. It’s happened in the past and will happen in the future, as all drivers who have driven a Ferrari have demonstrated. It occurred at the time of Fangio and Collins and more recently with Salo and Irvine, when the Finn gave up on his only chance of a win in Formula 1 to help his team-mate, as Raikkonen was helped by Felipe, before repaying the compliment and again with Felipe and Fernando. As for the Dream Team, I’m not in the habit of dreaming with my eyes open, as it’s not in my nature to do so. I would only say that the combination of Fernando and Kimi is the best one could have today in Formula 1, in terms of talent, experience, competitive spirit and the ability to move car development forward. As for the “poultry” question, it brings to mind football fans who are scared of rival teams because they have so many strong forwards and so they hope they will fight each other for the ball… For anyone thinking that the choice of Kimi is somehow an anti-Alonso choice, I can put their minds at rest: at Ferrari, everyone knows the interests of the team come first and only then those of the individual. Fernando is a key asset for this team and he will be for a long time. I’m sure he is the first to be happy with a choice made to strengthen the group, because he is too intelligent not to realise that a stronger team can only be an advantage.” Other commonly held concerns about Kimi revolve around his ability to work with people in a Formula 1 world where communications are ever more important and also his talents when it comes to moving forward the technical development of the car.
“Some cliches refuse to die! We worked with Kimi for three years from 2007 to 2009 and we never had a problem. Sure, everyone has their own ways and you can’t expect a Finn to start telling jokes in Italian or playing the clown! Honestly, I think the combination of Fernando’s expressive and passionate latin character and the cool style, to call it that, of someone like Kimi, seems to appeal to many, including the youngsters and our partners are also in agreement with this. As for the technical side of things, not only do we know full well how much Kimi can contribute at an important time like this, when the technical framework is changing so significantly, but we also have first hand information from James Allison, as to how much the Finn has also progressed in this area over the past two years.”
A twelve year era with Felipe at Ferrari is coming to an end. Can you tell us how the relationship has worked out over the past few months?
“At the start of the summer, we had a meeting to assess the situation and I reiterated that renewing our agreement was one of the options on the table, maybe it was even the most likely. Then came a series of difficult races, for him and for the team and in the end, we realised the best choice, for both parties, was to make a change. I think that, even for Felipe, the time had come to look outside what had become his home for twelve years and which, to a certain extent, will always be his home. You see, I saw Felipe arrive in Maranello when he was just a kid and I will see him walk out of here a grown man. Together we have lived through some great moments and some dramatic times, which has made the personal rapport between us something special. Obviously, the biggest disappointment is that I didn’t get to see him become world champion, which he almost did in 2008. That day and indeed that whole year, there were some incredible incidents which went against him. The lesson in sporting dignity he gave the world that day on the Interlagos podium and also the maturity he displayed while talking to me last night will always stay with me. I am proud to have worked with him in our team for so many years and I’m sure he will know how to do some great things outside the Maranello environment.”
We asked Stefano Domenicali to explain exclusively to www.ferrari.com the reasons for the change.
“When you make a change, it’s always with the aim of improving and that is what we are trying to achieve by bringing back to Maranello a very experienced, talented and determined driver like Kimi. For a few years now, we have been working on a refurbishment programme in all areas- our buildings, organisation, work methods – and now we have in place another building block, in the structure of the Ferrari of the future. For the first time, we will have a driver pairing made up of two world champions, which in itself is already significant, as they are the sort to always try and win and they can help each other by aking valuable points off our rivals. Having said that, we are well aware that without a competitive car, not even Superman can win. So our priority on a daily basis is always the same, namely to give our drivers a car capable of always fighting for the top place.”
Some say that the Alonso-Raikkonen pairing is a Dream Team, while others reckon that it won’t work having two cockerels in the same hen house. Will something change in the way the team is run or in its relationship with Fernando?
Nothing will change in the way the team is run. Since the world began, our drivers have always started on equal terms. It’s always been that way and always will. Then, during the course of the season, if the situation is such that one driver can help the other based on the points table, it’s logical and right that it should happen. It’s happened in the past and will happen in the future, as all drivers who have driven a Ferrari have demonstrated. It occurred at the time of Fangio and Collins and more recently with Salo and Irvine, when the Finn gave up on his only chance of a win in Formula 1 to help his team-mate, as Raikkonen was helped by Felipe, before repaying the compliment and again with Felipe and Fernando. As for the Dream Team, I’m not in the habit of dreaming with my eyes open, as it’s not in my nature to do so. I would only say that the combination of Fernando and Kimi is the best one could have today in Formula 1, in terms of talent, experience, competitive spirit and the ability to move car development forward. As for the “poultry” question, it brings to mind football fans who are scared of rival teams because they have so many strong forwards and so they hope they will fight each other for the ball… For anyone thinking that the choice of Kimi is somehow an anti-Alonso choice, I can put their minds at rest: at Ferrari, everyone knows the interests of the team come first and only then those of the individual. Fernando is a key asset for this team and he will be for a long time. I’m sure he is the first to be happy with a choice made to strengthen the group, because he is too intelligent not to realise that a stronger team can only be an advantage.” Other commonly held concerns about Kimi revolve around his ability to work with people in a Formula 1 world where communications are ever more important and also his talents when it comes to moving forward the technical development of the car.
“Some cliches refuse to die! We worked with Kimi for three years from 2007 to 2009 and we never had a problem. Sure, everyone has their own ways and you can’t expect a Finn to start telling jokes in Italian or playing the clown! Honestly, I think the combination of Fernando’s expressive and passionate latin character and the cool style, to call it that, of someone like Kimi, seems to appeal to many, including the youngsters and our partners are also in agreement with this. As for the technical side of things, not only do we know full well how much Kimi can contribute at an important time like this, when the technical framework is changing so significantly, but we also have first hand information from James Allison, as to how much the Finn has also progressed in this area over the past two years.”
A twelve year era with Felipe at Ferrari is coming to an end. Can you tell us how the relationship has worked out over the past few months?
“At the start of the summer, we had a meeting to assess the situation and I reiterated that renewing our agreement was one of the options on the table, maybe it was even the most likely. Then came a series of difficult races, for him and for the team and in the end, we realised the best choice, for both parties, was to make a change. I think that, even for Felipe, the time had come to look outside what had become his home for twelve years and which, to a certain extent, will always be his home. You see, I saw Felipe arrive in Maranello when he was just a kid and I will see him walk out of here a grown man. Together we have lived through some great moments and some dramatic times, which has made the personal rapport between us something special. Obviously, the biggest disappointment is that I didn’t get to see him become world champion, which he almost did in 2008. That day and indeed that whole year, there were some incredible incidents which went against him. The lesson in sporting dignity he gave the world that day on the Interlagos podium and also the maturity he displayed while talking to me last night will always stay with me. I am proud to have worked with him in our team for so many years and I’m sure he will know how to do some great things outside the Maranello environment.”