Official: Felipe Massa stays at Ferrari in 2013

It was an open secret. The rumor had been growing since the South Korean Grand Prix last Sunday. Felipe Massa will still be in red in 2013. Thanks to his strong performances since the Italian Grand Prix, notably a second place at the Japanese Grand Prix, the Brazilian has earned the trust of the Scuderia’s leaders, with Luca di Montezemolo at the forefront.

“I am really happy to have reached this agreement,” rejoiced the Brazilian driver on Ferrari’s official website. “Ferrari is my family in Formula 1, and since the beginning of my career, I have only driven cars powered by Maranello engines. I can’t imagine driving single-seaters with another engine! First and foremost, I want to thank President Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali, who have believed in me and always supported me, even in the toughest moments. The team and all the fans can be confident that I will do everything in my power to help the Scuderia achieve the goals it sets each year.”

Stefano Domenicali is pleased with the extension of Massa’s contract for an eighth consecutive year. “We are delighted to have extended our collaboration with Felipe for an additional year,” confirmed the team director. “He has been part of our family for a decade and has shown, especially at the end of this season, that he is still competitive at the highest level, which is what we expect from a driver in a Ferrari seat. We have always supported Felipe, even during the most challenging moments of his career, we are certain of his value and sure that he will repay the confidence that this extension demonstrates we have in him.”

This announcement comes as rumors about Sebastian Vettel joining Ferrari for 2014 are growing. Massa will be keen to prove his quality in 2013 and perhaps extend his record. Until now, the Paulista has achieved eleven victories, fifteen pole positions, and climbed onto 34 podiums, each time at the wheel of a red car. He is still chasing his first win since the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2008.