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Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, who is yet to confirm his plans for 2014 after announcing he will be leaving Ferrari at the end of this season, has said that negotiations have begun with the Lotus team for next year.
The Brazilian, who will be replaced by Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen, will be hoping for a swap as Lotus are the only front-running team with a seat left for next year.
Massa said: “We are negotiating. In my opinion, Lotus has a competitive car, which is what I want. We are having many conversations to try to find a way, not only for me but for Lotus, to continue with a good car.”
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Massa revealed that he has also contacted McLaren for a drive next year. He said: “I’ve had contact with McLaren but I cannot judge, it’s hard to say. With Lotus, the contact was very good.”
Massa’s manager Nicolas Todt said that Massa will never move to a smaller team. He said: “”He never would go to a smaller team to be second driver. We need to find a car that can challenge at the front in F1. The best place available is undoubtedly the one left by Raikkonen at Lotus.”
Lotus have said that they will reveal their plans for next year shortly. The drivers in running for a Lotus drive are Romain Grosjean, Felipe Massa and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenburg.
