- Ferrari
Massa thanks Ferrari on final farewell
Felipe Massa has thanked Ferrari as he leaves the team, making special reference to his life-threatening accident in 2009.
With Kimi Raikkonen returning to Ferrari next season, Massa will move to Williams in 2014 following eight seasons as a Ferrari driver. Having missed the second half of 2009 as a result of being hit in the helmet by a spring during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Massa paid tribute to the team for standing by him.
"We started together so many years ago and I want to thank all of you, mechanics, engineers, everyone who works at the track and behind the scenes in Maranello," Massa said during the Ferrari Christmas lunch. "Each one of you has always given me so much support, especially in the most difficult moments and I will never forget what Ferrari did for me when I had my accident in 2009.
"It's in these circumstances that one understands what it means to be really loved and the atmosphere at Ferrari and the unique feeling of being part of the family is something I will miss a lot."
Team principal Stefano Domenicali received a special mention, with Massa describing him as his "big brother".
Massa also joked to team-mate Alonso: "Thanks also to you Fer, we will meet again on track and this time I will try not to let you through."
As a gift, Massa was presented with the engine from his F2008 with which he came close to winning the world championship five years ago.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
