SEPTEMBER 7, 2016

Massa rules out returning to Brazil

Felipe Massa has ruled out continuing his racing career next year in Brazil's domestic stock car series.

Felipe Massa has ruled out continuing his racing career next year in Brazil's domestic stock car series.

The 15-year F1 veteran announced at Monza that he will retire from the category at the end of 2016.

Massa's father, Luis Antonio, said subsequently that it is possible the 35-year-old will keep racing next year at Le Mans, in DTM, or Formula E.

However, there have been reports Massa might join his compatriot Rubens Barrichello in the Brazilian stock car series.

But he told UOL Esporte: "I don't think Brazil will be an option for me to live or to race. Maybe just for fun, a race or two, but not a championship."

Massa lives with his family in Monaco, and he said: "There are other cool categories to race in, like WEC, DTM, maybe Formula E. I have time to think.

"I think I have much less pressure to decide, it just depends on me. I have no idea if I will race next year or not but it would have to be something in which I feel comfortable and that interests me," said Massa.

He also played down the possibility of staying in F1 in another capacity.

"I don't see myself working on the technical side of a team," said Massa, "or as a journalist. They are not things I ever dreamed of doing.

"What I can do is represent any brand, attend events. If I do something for TV, it will not be like a regular job, maybe a race here and there. Because it's not part of what I want to do now," he added.

(GMM)