Massa: “Already looking forward to next season”

Today's meeting between Felipe Massa and the media in the paddock of the Buddh International Circuit was dedicated to just one topic: after the announcement that the Brazilian driver will drive for Scuderia Ferrari again next season, in fact, this it was the first occasion on which Felipe met the press.

Has the Brazilian driver ever worried about his future? “Yes, there were times when I was worried, but when things started to improve, I was very calm about what was going to happen,” said Felipe. “I took a look at the situation in the other teams, but I never had any real talks with any team, because I always wanted to stay here,” admitted the Brazilian driver. Ultimately, the contract was signed in Maranello after a meeting with Luca di Montezemolo. “We talked about many things,” said Felipe of the conversation he had with the Ferrari president. “I was alone with him and we looked at the past years, the bad ones and the good ones, and we talked about the future as we often did and, in the end, everything was decided that day.”

With his future already defined for 2013, life is clearly simpler for the driver who has always had a Ferrari engine behind him throughout his F1 career. Felipe however explained how he was, even before the final decision, in a good condition thanks to the better performances recently shown on the track. “Mentally, I am much happier and more serene, because I believe that good results bring other positive aspects and everything helps to generate more positivity. In the end, I don't think the car has changed that much, but it's also true that before August I had some good Grands Prix, but something happened that prevented me from finishing in the positions I should have been in. Since then, we have managed to achieve some good results, both in terms of performance and because nothing has gone wrong. I am therefore much happier and motivated now. It was good for me and, of course, good for the team too. Now that things are going well, I'd love it if the season continued a little longer, even though it's already been long for everyone! There are four races left, then there will be a break, which I think everyone needs, after which I'm already looking forward to next season, which I hope will be positive from start to finish."

“Why did Ferrari decide to extend my contract? You journalists also know me well and know what I can do", continued the Brazilian driver. “I am able to do a good job, I know how to make all aspects interact, from the driving to the way I work with the team, with the car, the set-up and so on. By doing so I was able to have fun and win what I won. I'm sure that if I manage to do all this again the results will come."