Early Years and Beginnings in Racing
Felipe Massa, born on 25 April 1981 in São Paulo, Brazil, discovered his passion for racing at a young age. He began karting at the age of eight and spent seven years competing in national and international championships. His talent soon led him to Formula Chevrolet, where he won the championship, followed by triumphs in the Italian Formula Renault and the European championship in 2000. Massa’s impressive performance in Euro Formula 3000, where he won six of the eight races, culminated in a championship win in 2001. This success paved the way for his entry into Formula One with Sauber in 2002.
Major Successes and Highlights
Felipe Massa’s Formula One career, spanning from 2002 to 2017, was marked by significant achievements. After starting with Sauber, he joined Ferrari as a test driver in 2003, returning to Sauber in 2004 and 2005, and then rejoining Ferrari. Massa’s time at Ferrari was highlighted by numerous victories, including his first F1 win at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix and a memorable home victory at the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix. He nearly clinched the 2008 World Championship, finishing as runner-up in a dramatic season finale. Massa’s career was also marked by resilience, making a strong comeback in 2010 after a severe injury at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Life and Legacy After Racing
Following his retirement from Formula One at the end of the 2017 season, Felipe Massa continued his racing career in other series. He competed in the FIA’s all-electric Formula E series until the end of the 2019-20 Championship and later joined the Stock Car Brasil series in 2021. Massa’s legacy in Formula One is not just defined by his victories and near misses but also by his sportsmanship, resilience, and the inspiration he provided to countless fans and aspiring drivers.
Career Stats
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Formula One | Sauber Petronas | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 13th |
| 2003 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro | Test driver | ||||||
| 2004 | Formula One | Sauber Petronas | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12th |
| 2005 | Formula One | Sauber Petronas | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 13th |
| 2006 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro | 18 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 80 | 3rd |
| 2007 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro | 17 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 94 | 4th |
| 2008 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro | 18 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 97 | 2nd |
| 2009 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 11th |
| 2010 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 144 | 6th |
| 2011 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari | 19 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 118 | 6th |
| 2012 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 122 | 7th |
| 2013 | Formula One | Scuderia Ferrari | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 112 | 8th |
| 2014 | Formula One | Williams Martini Racing | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 134 | 7th |
| 2015 | Formula One | Williams Martini Racing | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 121 | 6th |
| 2016 | Formula One | Williams Martini Racing | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 11th |
| 2017 | Formula One | Williams Martini Racing | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 11th |