Stefano Domenicali: Proud to have worked with Massa

Ferrari team Principal Stefano Domenicali with Felipe Massa

Earlier this week Felipe Massa announced that he will be leaving Ferrari after serving the team for 8 years. Right after that it was announced that Kimi Raikkonen will replace the Brazilian from next year.

Speaking on the decision Team Principal Stefano Domenicali said: “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 (Massa) and for the team and in the end, we realised the best choice, for both parties, was to make a change.”

Reiterating his memories of working with Massa, he said: “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.”

Talking about his biggest disappointment, “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.”

On Massa’s future Domenicali said: “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.”

Felipe Massa has said that he is looking forward to continuing in Formula 1, provided he gets a competitive drive. Right now Massa’s options are limited to Lotus and Force India, beyond which his decision will be to leave Formula 1 or settle for a test driver role.