AUGUST 18, 2015

Massa enjoys having son at races

Felipe Massa says he enjoys having the support of his family at grands prix.

Felipe Massa says he enjoys having the support of his family at grands prix.

Lately, the highest-profile youngster in the paddock - Max Verstappen aside - is five-year-old Felipinho.

He has thrilled television audiences by following the heels of his lookalike dad around the paddocks of the world, giving mini-interviews during race weekends not only in Portuguese but also Italian and English.

Massa said his entire family enjoys supporting him trackside -- particularly little Felipinho.

"He's always there, always playing," he grinned to Brazil's UOL. "While I'm in the car, he's in the paddock playing ball.

"He is very playful, he loves to run, loves to follow me, loves playing football.

"I've always been very close to my family, so I think there's no reason not to take them to the races so I am near them.

"It is what I always do, not only with Felipinho but also Raffaela, my parents, my brother. We try to organise the races during the year to always have someone from the family there," Massa added.

(GMM)