Felipe Massa to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2016 season

Williams Formula One driver, Felipe Massa has announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2016 season. The 35-year-old Brazilian made his F1 debut in 2002, and went to compete in 242 races over the last 14 years.

Having won 11 Grands Prix in his journey, Massa has achieved the privilege of being one of the most experienced drivers in Formula One history. He spent three years racing for Sauber before moving to Ferrari in 2006, and went on till the end of the 2013 season before shifting to the Williams team. Reportedly, the final race of the 2016 season, at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit in November, will be Massa’s 250th race. 

Reports claim that Felipe Massa, in his column for Motorsport.com, wrote, “In recent months I have been thinking a lot about my future, and I have taken the decision that at the end of this season, I will leave Formula One. Life presents us with many choices, and I think for me it has got to the time where I have to go and do something different. Maybe you will see me again at the wheel of a race car, but at the moment the only certainty I have is that I will have a lot of time to decide on what I do in the future." An emotional video was posted on his Facebook page that confirmed his exiting Formula One, and also revealed some moments of his career.

As they say, it’s going to be strange to see a grid without Massa. Nevertheless, he's got a lot of be proud of in his 14 seasons in Formula One.