After Mark Webber committed himself to Red Bull for the 2011 season, the main protagonists of F1’s annual musical chairs game had less room to manoeuvre, and now there’s even fewer possible destinations with Ferrari announcing that it has extended Felipe Massa’s contract. Among those rumoured to be in line for Massa’s race seat were Webber and Robert Kubica.
The Brazilian will now drive for the Scuderia until the end of the 2012 season at the very least. This also means that Ferrari will have the same driver line-up for the next two seasons, with double world champ Fernando Alonso also contracted to the Maranello team.
“I am happy to be given the opportunity to drive for Ferrari for a further two seasons. Throughout my entire Formula 1 career, I have always raced with an engine made in Maranello and it is a matter of pride for me to be able to continue working with a team that I regard as a second family,” said Massa, whose original contract was expiring at the end of this year.
“Felipe has been part of Ferrari for almost a decade and together with us, he has grown as a driver and as a man, going through some very difficult times as well as giving us moments of great happiness. We wanted to show proof of stability for the future, believing in the worth of a driver pairing that is without equal in terms of talent, speed and its ability to work together for the good of the team,” said team boss Stefano Domenicali.
Massa joined Ferrari in 2001 and has competed in 69 grands prix, scoring 11 wins, 30 podiums and 15 pole positions.
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i hope kubica replacing massa next year…
top 4 teams have already seems to stick with their current driver line up
I guess Force India might kick luizi out,
Sauber will surely kick De La Rosa out..
Petrov at Renault also seem quite unsure about next year…
Toro Rosso seems happy with Buemi dan Alguersuari.
Williams I’m sure will not change their driver line up.
Lotus will not kick out Trulli yet maybe for another season
Virgin and HRT I guess will also stick with their current line up
So, that’s it I guess only 1 seat left up for grab for next season that is at Sauber because Force India will surely give luizi seat to Paul di resta
hmmm..massa. lucky guy.
indeed, i too think this guy is soo lucky, there’s few other F1 drivers that deserved Ferrari seat….
does anyone know the reason why he still with ferrari ?
My guess is; after webber and kubica have confirmed will not go anywhere next season; ferrari have no other choice but to keep massa.