Malaysia - Interview With Felipe Massa

Ferrari

Mar 23, 2008

Question: Your consistency has improved drastically since your 2002 debut. Tell us how you’ve managed to grow so much as a driver?

Massa: Well, moving from Sauber to Ferrari as a test driver in 2003 was a very good experience for me in that I was able to get more involved with race engineers. Ferrari helped me a lot in learning more, and by the time I re-joined Sauber in 2004, my driving skills were a lot more mature.

Question: Who was the driving force in getting you started in racing at such a young age?

Massa: My father. He used to be a Touring car driver in the past, just for fun, and I was always happy to go with him to the races because I was a big fan of cars. He gave me a go-kart when I was eight, and the first time I drove it, I realised that racing would be my focus. And my father has always supported me throughout my career, it has been like that with everything that I do.

Question: Did you know your surname sounds like the Malay word for time? When do you think your time will come?

Massa: Well, firstly, we’ll go step by step. Hopefully, I can have my time on Sunday (smiles). Then we’ll think about the Championship after that.

Question: Speaking of championships, you’ve driven with (now retired Ferrari driver) Michael Schumacher in the past. How do you find working with him now that he is a consultant compared to before, when he was a driver?

Massa: He was very competitive and a cool guy as a driver, and very knowledgeable. It’s great to have Michael around now because of that knowledge, and especially during testing to help provide feedback and support. For sure, it’s always good to have an experienced guy to help us reach our goals for the team

Question: You’ve raced on many tracks during your career. Which is your favourite?

Massa: I like many tracks, especially with quick corners. Particularly Spa (Francorchamps, in Belgium), Turkey, and Brazil. I think Spa and Turkey.

Question: If you were not racing, what do you think you would be doing?

Massa: I’ve never really thought about it because racing has been the focus of my life for so long, and that is what I love to do. I don’t really know, actually. Perhaps I would still be working with cars somehow.

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