Massa is happy that Barrichello is in IndyCar
On the official Scuderia Ferrari website, the Paulista expresses his joy at seeing his compatriot continue his driving career in IndyCar and discusses his own situation as his future with Ferrari after 2012 is uncertain.
On March 25th, in the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, Rubens Barrichello will start his first IndyCar race driving the KV Racing Chevrolet No. 8. Last November, the driver from São Paulo was still planning to continue his Formula One career despite encouragement from his friend and compatriot, Felipe Massa, who was inviting him to enjoy the Brazilian Grand Prix, the last race of the season, to retire deservedly.
On the official website of his team, the Ferrari driver is pleased today to see Barrichello start a new career in North America: “I am very happy that Rubens has decided to embark on a new adventure in IndyCar. I heard that he was sad about how things went with his previous team and I am sure he will do very well in his new career: I will support him and I am sure he will also support me in Formula One.”
Rubens Barrichello heads towards new horizons, Felipe Massa will defend alone, with Bruno Senna, the colors of Brazil in Formula One, but like the Williams driver, his future beyond 2012 remains uncertain as his contract with Ferrari has yet to be renewed: This year is no different from many I have known in the past. It will be at least the fifth time I start a season without having renewed my contract yet, but it doesn’t make the slightest difference to me. I work with the ambition of extending my relationship with Ferrari, which has lasted for so many years.
For the 2008 vice-world champion, who will begin his seventh campaign on behalf of the Rossa, Ferrari represents something special: For example, it’s true that the first time I saw the reproduction of Enzo Ferrari’s office in the Maranello Museum this year, I felt a particular emotion, even though I’ve been part of this family for over 10 years now.
One thing is certain, however: on the evening of the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, Felipe Massa will become, with 103 Grand Prix raced for Ferrari, the second driver to have competed in the most races for the Scuderia, surpassing a certain Rubens Barrichello in this statistic.
