Massa extends Ferrari contract until '12
Jun 9, 2010 | 06:07 PM
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Massa extends Ferrari contract until '12
Ferrari announced on Wednesday morning that it has extended its contract with Felipe Massa, who will stay on at the team at least until the end of the 2012 season. Massa has been with the Italian squad since the 2001 season and his contract was expiring at the end of this year. The new deal means Ferrari will have an unchanged driver line-up for the next two years, with Fernando Alonso also contracted to the Maranello outfit. "I am happy to be given the opportunity to drive for Ferrari for a further two seasons," said Massa.
"Throughout my entire Formula 1 career, I have always raced with an engine made in Maranello and it is a matter of pride for me to be able to continue working with a team that I regard as a second family." Massa has competed in 69 grands prix for Ferrari, having won 11 races, 30 podiums and 15 pole positions.
"Felipe has been part of Ferrari for almost a decade and together with us, he has grown as a driver and as a man, going through some very difficult times as well as giving us moments of great happiness," said team boss Stefano Domenicali.
"We wanted to show proof of stability for the future, believing in the worth of a driver pairing that is without equal in terms of talent, speed and its ability to work together for the good of the team."
The announcement comes just two days after Red Bull confirmed Mark Webber's new contract. Both Webber and Renault's Robert Kubica had been linked with Massa's drive.
From Autosport.com
Jun 11, 2010 | 01:08 PM
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From: Chicago, Il
I think it was the right move and that he and Alonso make a good pair
Alonso welcomes news of Massa's new contract
Fernando Alonso has welcomed the news that his current teammate Felipe Massa will be staying at Ferrari at least until the end of 2012.
It had been rumoured that the Spaniard's friend Robert Kubica, or Red Bull's Mark Webber, might switch to the Maranello based team to replace Brazilian Massa, 29.
"I am very pleased," Alonso is quoted by Ticionline, "because it means the same group will be working together for another two years.
"Stability is very important to the success of a team," he added. "I feel very well with Felipe -- there is a lot of respect between us and that creates the harmony that is necessary to be together for the long term."
Alonso also played down reports that he is ruing a lack of development with the F10 car since winning the season opening Bahrain grand prix.
"It is not right to say that the development stopped; the few tenths to Red Bull has been the same, so that means we have been improving, as have they.
"The truth is that in Spain we did not take the step forward that we expected, while others moved ahead," he said.
Alonso, 28, also acknowledged that the work on the F-duct system has greatly occupied the relevant engineers.
"I think it has been useful to work on it, although we have not been able to exploit this work completely effectively.
"I see that other teams have also had difficulties, while those (McLaren) who had it from the beginning retain the advantage," he added.
Alonso welcomes news of Massa's new contract
Fernando Alonso has welcomed the news that his current teammate Felipe Massa will be staying at Ferrari at least until the end of 2012.
It had been rumoured that the Spaniard's friend Robert Kubica, or Red Bull's Mark Webber, might switch to the Maranello based team to replace Brazilian Massa, 29.
"I am very pleased," Alonso is quoted by Ticionline, "because it means the same group will be working together for another two years.
"Stability is very important to the success of a team," he added. "I feel very well with Felipe -- there is a lot of respect between us and that creates the harmony that is necessary to be together for the long term."
Alonso also played down reports that he is ruing a lack of development with the F10 car since winning the season opening Bahrain grand prix.
"It is not right to say that the development stopped; the few tenths to Red Bull has been the same, so that means we have been improving, as have they.
"The truth is that in Spain we did not take the step forward that we expected, while others moved ahead," he said.
Alonso, 28, also acknowledged that the work on the F-duct system has greatly occupied the relevant engineers.
"I think it has been useful to work on it, although we have not been able to exploit this work completely effectively.
"I see that other teams have also had difficulties, while those (McLaren) who had it from the beginning retain the advantage," he added.
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