MARCH 11, 2013

Massa fighting to keep Ferrari seat for 2014

Relieved to have rescued his career from the brink in the second half of last season, Felipe Massa has admitted he does not know if he can also keep his Ferrari seat for 2014.

"I don't know what will happen," the 31-year-old, who will begin his eighth consecutive season with the fabled Maranello marque this weekend, told Speed Week.

Albeit with an uncompetitive Ferrari, Massa had a dire start to the 2012 season, and many now see the forthcoming campaign as yet another final chance for him to shine off the back of a fallow few years.

"For sure I will make every effort to continue to drive for the grandest and most famous formula one team," he said in Rio de Janeiro, "which has become a second family for me.

"Of course it depends on the results, so I am concentrating only on the world championship."

Massa said he paid little attention to those who wrote him off early last season, and will pay no attention if they do the same in 2013.

"It's simply part of the formula one world, but I think I proved to everyone that I can deal with difficult situations.

"Even after a very complicated first half of the season (in 2012) I was not swayed by the rumours and I fought back on the track.

"Because of that, I can attack again this year," he added.

(GMM)