Formula One news

Ferrari signed Massa to calm speculation

Ferrari caught many people by surprise earlier this week when it confirmed an extension to Felipe Massa's contract. Until that point the speculation had been that Fernando Alonso may have found himself alongside Kimi Raikkonen and that Ferrari would have placed Massa in another team, such as Toyota.

Speaking at Interlagos, Ferrari team boss Jean Todt - who's son Nicolas manages Massa's career - said there was never a question about keeping Massa on and the team just announced the extension to calm the rampant speculation.

"There has been a lot of speculation over the last weeks and rather than entertaining this speculation we knew what we wanted to do for the drivers for the future, so we simply confirmed an extension for Felipe," said Massa. "He's doing an excellent job, motivated. He's really a driver who has grown up with our team and it's as simple as that. I think the responsibility for the problems is more with the team than with the drivers. We know that if we give them a winning car they are going to win races, so it's up to us."

"It has never been questioned that our drivers were not quick enough to get the best out of the car, so we need to give them a winning car, a reliable car and then they have demonstrated that they are able to deliver," he added.

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• 07 Sep.
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  • Dennis hints Hamilton may be light
• 06 Sep.
  • Ferrari plot fight for victory from second
  • Alonso sets Renault up in sixth
  • Heidfeld leads BMW qualifying charge
  • Force India happy with pace
  • Worst qualifying for Toyota
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Dismal day sees both Hondas out in Q1
  • Both Toro Rossos back in top ten
  • Hamilton gushing with confidence on pole
  • Massa's perfect lap not enough
  • Kovalainen lost out in middle sector
  • Hamilton storms to Belgian pole
  • Spa-Francorchamps to rename Stavelot corner
  • Heidfeld tops final practice session
  • Photos: Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Donington Park submit first phase plans
• 05 Sep.
  • McLaren pleased with first day
  • Raikkonen crash hinders Ferrari preparations
  • Renault lifted by Alonso's pace
  • BMWs struggle on Friday
  • Toyota looking for more pace
  • Force India happy with practice
  • Toro Rossos going well at Spa
  • New parts working well for Williams
  • Honda struggling at Spa
  • Mixed day for Red Bull
  • Alonso tops second practice
  • McLaren to open office in US
  • Massa tops first free practice at Spa
  • Photos: Friday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Vettel to test Red Bull this month
• 04 Sep.
  • Massa eyes up vital six final races
  • Raikkonen hopes for dry weekend
  • Photos: Thursday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Coulthard: The engines make the difference
• 03 Sep.
  • Bridgestone going hard on Spa

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