Ferrari have given Felipe Massa a new two-year deal that will keep him with the Italian team until the end of 2012.
The announcement comes hard on the heels of Red Bull’s retention of Mark Webber, who was regarded as a contender to take over Massa’s drive.
“It’s a matter of pride to continue working with a team that I regard as my second family,” said Massa.
The Brazilian has struggled to match the pace of Fernando Alonso since the Spaniard joined Ferrari this year.
Massa has been associated with Ferrari since he entered Formula 1 at the beginning of the 2002 season with the Sauber team, which was using Petronas-badged Ferrari engines. BBC Sport
“Throughout my entire Formula One career, I have always raced with an engine made in Maranello and it is a matter of pride for me to be able to continue working with a team that I regard as a second family.”
“Felipe has been part of Ferrari for almost a decade and together with us, he has grown as a driver and as a man, going through some very difficult times as well as giving us moments of great happiness,” said Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali.
“We wanted to show proof of stability for the future, believing in the worth of a driver pairing that is without equal in terms of talent, speed and its ability to work together for the good of the team.” The Press Association
The Brazilian has started 69 races for the Italian team, with 11 wins, 15 pole positions and 30 podium placings.
With double world champion Alonso joining this year on a three-year deal from Renault, Ferrari have now nailed down a long-term line-up that effectively freezes the driver market at the top of the sport.
Massa’s position was the sole possible vacancy among the leading four teams, unless Michael Schumacher abandons his comeback at Mercedes, after Red Bull agreed a new deal with championship leader Mark Webber this week.
Leaders McLaren are sure to continue with champions Jenson Button and Hamilton while closest rivals Red Bull have Webber and Germany’s Sebastian Vettel signed up for 2011. Yahoo! Eurosport
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