Felipe Massa to retire at the end of 2017 F1 season

After 14 years in Formula 1 (F1), Felipe Massa of Williams team announced that he will formally retire at the end of the 2017 season. The Brazilian has 267 Grand Prix under his belt after driving for F1 teams such as Sauber, Ferrari, and Williams.    

He was able to get 11 wins and 41 podium finishes in his career. In 2008, Massa almost became an F1 world champion in a wet and dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix. However, he was beaten by Lewis Hamilton by 1-point. This 2017 F1 season, he’s 11th in the driver’s championship with 36 points.

Massa originally planned to retire at the end of the 2016 season with the rookie Lance Stroll set to replace him. But the sudden departure of his former teammate Valtteri Bottas forced Williams to re-sign the Brazilian for 1 more year.

Earlier this year, Williams were already looking for a new driver for the 2018 F1 season as Massa’s 1-year contract extension was about to expire. Among the leading candidates for the upcoming vacant seat are former F1 drivers Paul di Resta and Robert Kubica. On the other hand, should Wiliams consider the recently booted yet talented Daniil Kvyat? We have to wait for the official announcement from Williams. But one thing is for sure, Stroll should step up his game and continue to improve in order to help the team.