F1 driver Felipe Massa ditches Ferrari after eight years to join Williams

Felipe Massa is to leave Ferrari next season. He will join Williams in 2014 and will replace Pastor Maldonado.

05:04 13 November 2013

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has been confirmed to join Williams next season to replace Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado. The 32-year-old said on Monday:  "When I was a kid, I always dreamed of racing for Williams, Ferrari or McLaren and I'm glad to be signing with another icon of the sport."

 

Williams have signed Massa on a three-year contract to add experience as they attempt to rebuild the team. Although they have dominated the tracks for the large portion of the 1980s and 90s, they are currently at 9th place of 11 teams in the constructors’ championship with two races to go. 

 

Massa hoped that his "experience will be useful in helping the team in its effort to move on from a difficult period".

 

He said: "The team wants to grow. It is already a big team but they are really pushing hard to go back to what they were in the past.

 

"It is a team to fight for the championships and good results and I really want to be a part of it. I understand what they are doing to get stronger. I think we can be very successful and I believe it is the best choice compared to the other choices I had."