Massa: “Ferrari is my racing family”

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa has expressed his joy at being re-signed by Ferrari for 2013, after the Brazilian’s contract extension was announced today:

“I am very happy to have reached this agreement … Ferrari is my racing family and throughout my entire time in Formula 1, I have always driven cars powered by engines built in Maranello: I can’t see myself driving cars propelled by anything else! First and foremost, I want to thank President Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali, who had faith in me and who have always supported me, even at the most difficult moments. The team and also all the fans can rest assured that I will do all in my power to help the Scuderia reach the targets it sets itself each year.”

Ferrari Team Principal Stefano Domenicali had hinted strongly at Sunday’s Korean Grand Prix that an agreement was imminent, and his comments following the successful negotiations reveal his satisfaction with the continuing team-driver relationship and perhaps also some relief that the decision to retain Massa was, in the end, not as difficult as it might have been:

“We are pleased to have extended our relationship with Felipe for a further year … He has been part of our family for over a decade and has shown, expecially in this recent part of the season, that he is once again competitive at the highest level, which is what is expected of every driver who gets behind the wheel of a Ferrari. We have always supported Felipe, even in the most difficult moments of his career and we are certain of his worth and are sure he will know how to repay the confidence this renewal proves we have in him.”

Massa is currently in his seventh season as a Ferrari driver. In his time at Maranello he has won 11 races and finished second in the 2008 World Championship after arguably the most thrilling season finale in Formula One history. He now has another chance to target Championship glory with Formula One’s most famous team.