2016 Brazilian GP: Massa's Farewell to Brazil

Felipe Massa left heartbroken after he crashed out of his final home race at the 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix, in his penultimate race of his career and of the 2016 season.

 

Ending his career with Williams, Massa, who was running in P13,  lost control of his FW38 as he approached the final corner of the 48th lap. The Brazilian veteran getting caught out by the wet conditions as he slid off the track, unable to regain control of the car and hitting the wall.

 

Massa later told reporters “It was heartbreaking […] I didn’t want to finish like this.”

 

As he emerged out of his car, the crowds roared in support of their home hero, sending Massa into tears. Massa disappointed with the crash but grateful for his fans commented “Maybe God knows what to do, to stop me in the place to be in front of my fans.

 

“I had an amazing feeling with the fans, and I couldn’t stop crying.”

 

Massa wrapping himself with the Brazilian flag, applauding fans before making his way down the pitlane and back to his garage.  What Massa wouldn’t expect was the Mercedes and Ferrari mechanics emerging from their garage to applaud Massa as he passed their respective garages on his way back to the Williams garage where he was greeted by his family, and members of the Williams team.

 

“I didn’t imagine the reaction in the pitlane"," Teams I didn’t even work for like Mercedes; it was very human the reaction.”

 

Massa a veteran in the sport, making his debut with Sauber in 2002, before joining Ferrari in 2006 until 2013, and ending his career with Williams initially in 2016, however, the Brazilian driver would stay on the team for one more season following the sudden departure of Valtteri Bottas from the team, the Fin going to Mercedes as Nico Rosberg announces his immediate retirement following winning the 2016 World Championship at the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 

Massa with 16 seasons of history in the sport from 2002 to 2017, 11 Grand Prix wins, including 2 at his home race. As well as, becoming a runner up for the 2008 Driver World Championship following the controversial crashgate scandal.