Felipe Massa: Brazilian F1 star modest about his chances of winning hometown race
Felipe Massa modestly played down his chances of winning this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix. Massa said his goal is not to emerge victorious in the race, but simply secure a place in the top three.
Massa has refused to get ahead of himself and said that the team’s goal is to get to the podium, reported the Associated Press. Massa, who is a two-time winner at Interlagos (2006 and 2008), added that their fans are practical and realistic about the possible outcome of the penultimate race of the 2015 Formula One (F1) season.
“There is no use coming here and saying that I will win the race, it’s a good track for Williams and for me,” Massa said. “I expect to be competitive like last year, we have to think of going to the podium.”
Massa added Brazilian fans should never be impassive towards F1, which he regarded as one of the most important sports, even if they do not have a winning F1 driver soon. The Williams driver previously hinted his intention to leave F1 if he is unable to secure a competitive seat after the 2016 season. Massa pointed to the recent Mexican Grand Prix, saying that the Mexican fans welcomed the sport after a 23-year absence although Force India’s Sergio Perez had little chances of winning the race.
Asked about his thoughts on catching Ferrari and Mercedes next season, Massa said that team is doing a good job, but will have to invest more in their cars to be in pace with the other top two F1 leaders. He added that they could make the lives of the drivers of their rival teams “difficult.”
Massa is currently sixth in the F1 World Drivers’ Championship standings with 117 points. He had two third place finishes this season at the Hungarian Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix. He finished sixth at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, last year’s winner Nico Rosberg is looking to win his second trophy at Interlagos. Despite the pressure with his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who is bidding to win his maiden Brazilian Grand Prix trophy, the German F1 star has promised to put up a good fight this weekend.
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