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It has been announced that Felipe Massa and Claire Williams will be holding a press conference at 1:45 (local time, so 12:45 GMT) this afternoon. Nothing has been said about why, but it would seem like there are three logical options:

a) Massa and Williams will be announcing he's staying with the Grove-based team for 2017.
b) Massa and Williams will be announcing he's leaving Williams at the end of 2016.
c) Massa will be announcing he's retiring from F1 at the end of 2016.

What do we think? I'm sort of expecting him to announce he's retiring from F1, although if that's the case, is Claire Williams' involvement in the press conference perhaps a little strange?

Edit: Massa has now confirmed that 2016 will be his last racing in F1. (I've updated the thread title accordingly)

Retirement. Button can then go back to where it all began and Vandoorne can partner up with Fred.

MistaVega23 wrote:Retirement.

+1

MistaVega23 wrote:Retirement. Button can then go back to where it all began and Vandoorne can partner up with Fred.

Agree it's probably retirement, although I'm also reasonably certain I read recently that Button has ruled out a return to Williams

I hope not, I really like Massa.. he was robbed in 2008. Robbed I say!

Maybe to express their displeasure over Force India now being 4th in WCC!

Retirement seems most likely. Not sure why Williams would have a major representative there though. Claire Williams' presence makes me think it could be a contract but I just don't imagine it can not be retirement.

I don't see the second option of them agreeing to part ways but Felipe not retiring. Would they call a conference for that? I feel like they'd rather press-release that so as to avoid the question of "So Claire, Felipe is too crap then?" or similar.

I'd guess it is to announce a deal extension.
If he was retiring I'd doubt there would be a need to have Claire Williams present.

Her presence is confusing me a little, too. Even if he were doing it through the team, rather than holding his own press conference, why have Claire Williams there? Unless she is just there to praise him/address Williams' driver situation rather than holding her own press conference on the subject. Yet at the same time all the speculation has been that he would be, at the very least, leaving Williams come the end of the year.

Surely they wouldn't double up and announce his replacement if it is retirement? They'd give Massa the limelight wouldn't they? I'm really starting to lean toward it being a year, or at most 2, extension with the Deputy TP being present.

When others have announced retirements did they call the press conference alone or with the team boss? I can't recall. Schumi I think just had a press release after the race rather than calling a press conference (Edit - The Monza 2006 one, I'm not sure about his Mercedes one).

Maybe Claire is there because Massa is retiring only from his driving duties, and will take up another role at Williams?

Covalent wrote:Maybe Claire is there because Massa is retiring only from his driving duties, and will take up another role at Williams?

I wondered that myself. Given his history as a test driver he could be a valuable addition if he were to become their test/development driver. Particularly if they were going to end up fielding Lance Stroll as one of their drivers next year.

I a bit worried they are going to announce a contract extension. Teams have been very cautious about changing drivers in recent years. A lot seem to be taking a, better the devil you know, attitude.

Apparently his family are in the front row so that would point heavily towards retirement.

I've just checked SSF1 and they have a re-run of the Spa GP, anyone know if it's being broadcast?

Retirement:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/massa ... -1-813320/

Well there we are.

35 is young to actually officially announce retirement.

A shame to see him retire but I think it was pretty clear he wasn't going to get a better seat for 2017, and if Williams are looking elsewhere then it's the only sensible decision to make. I've got a funny feeling he'll turn up in Formula E perhaps as soon as 2017. I'll always look back on 2008 and think he should've won the WDC that year; as a Massa fan it still stings a little that he got *that* close and still didn't win it. Unfortunate that a lot of the later part of his time in F1 will either be remembered for the wrong reasons (being the #2 to Alonso) or simply written off as completely forgettable, but such is life.

Zoue wrote:Retirement:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/massa ... -1-813320/

A right decision. Anyway, this decision doesn't diminish my appreciation that he has contributed to F1. One of the sweetest drivers in the paddock.

It's always sad to see a familiar, long-serving figure in the sport retire - Yet in the case of Felipe Massa I can fully understand. He didn't exactly set the world on fire this season and I don't think there were many teams interested in his services, and maybe the teams that were couldn't meet Massa's competitive standards.

He had a good career, extracted a lot out of his talent. Now on to the next chapter, I hope he does well.

Now the follow-up question: Who will take his seat at Williams?

UnlikeUday wrote:

Zoue wrote:Retirement:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/massa ... -1-813320/

A right decision. Anyway, this decision doesn't diminish my appreciation that he has contributed to F1. One of the sweetest drivers in the paddock.

Agreed. I was hoping he'd announce retirement before the end of the season so he can have a good send off in Brazil. He can leave the sport on his own terms with his head held high.

GPG wrote:It's always sad to see a familiar, long-serving figure in the sport retire - Yet in the case of Felipe Massa I can fully understand. He didn't exactly set the world on fire this season and I don't think there were many teams interested in his services, and maybe the teams that were couldn't meet Massa's competitive standards.

He had a good career, extracted a lot out of his talent. Now on to the next chapter, I hope he does well.

Now the follow-up question: Who will take his seat at Williams?

I'd be surprised if they pick Stroll, don't think he's got enough experience, hopefully Jenson for at least one year, maybe two.

GPG wrote:Now the follow-up question: Who will take his seat at Williams?

Both SkySports and Autosport have mentioned Felipe Nasr's name should Button not want that seat, Sergio Perez too. And Lance Stroll probably remains in the mix.

Jenson's Understeer wrote:

GPG wrote:Now the follow-up question: Who will take his seat at Williams?

Both SkySports and Autosport have mentioned Felipe Nasr's name should Button not want that seat, Sergio Perez too. And Lance Stroll probably remains in the mix.

I think both Jenson Button as Sergio Perez would be good successors. Felipe Nasr comes as a surprise to me, although I can understand that Williams want to retain their Brazilian sponsors.

I hear from a very reliable source that it is Jenson seat if he wants it. With such broad marketing appeal Williams are apparently desperate to sign him - a two year deal has been tabled to boot.

Massa got a new lease of life at Williams. I think both driver and team found each other at the right time. That time has passed now and it's time for something fresh for both sides

I had a feeling he was going to work his way into a Renault seat. And who knows how that would have gone. But by bowing out now Felipe can leave the sport with his head held high

Had his off moments but ultimately a good man and a good racer. He's had his share of detractors, but nobody flukes into 11 wins & 40+ podiums so credit where it's due.

Would've been lovely if he'd actually won the title in 2008, but what actually sealed my respect for the man was his reaction on the podium at Sau Paulo 2008 after realizing what he'd lost. A true gentleman and worthy of any racing fan's respect.

A little sad to see him go but not at all surprising either, glad that he had his time in Williams as he's been a completely different driver these last few years and actually seemed HAPPY!

As for Williams, they could do a lot worse than Kvyat

I wish him well, he has served the sport well. As mentioned it was a pity about 2008.

Just a shame for him that he had that unsafe release at Singapore in 2008. That cost him a World Title. I think Jenson Button is happy he got at least one WDC. Most drivers only get 1 shot at being champ.

But on the plus side he survived a spring to the helmet and the resulting crash along with many tangles with Lewis Hamilton. It would have been amusing to see them as team mates for one season. I hope they have genuinely put their differences aside.

Massa has outshone most drivers since 2000 and not many drivers can claim to have won 11 GPs (correct me if I am wrong?). I think he can go with his head held high after helping Williams to third in the constructors.

One of the most lovable personalities. Shame for the 2008 (title lost in the last corner), 2009 (big injury), 2010 (XXX is faster than you), and so on. Still had a couple of well fought podiums in Williams, to redeem himself rightly. Never got trashed by Bottas, they were interchangeably faster then the other guy, the differences were minimal. Big carrier, vice-champ, 11 victories!

Goodbye Felipe! You will be missed!

pendulumeffect wrote:Just a shame for him that he had that unsafe release at Singapore in 2008.

Plus at the Hungarian GP, he retired 3 laps to go from the safe lead. He overtook both Mclarens from 3rd on the grid with spectacular move and never got challenged for the win. Shame!

I really hope he can somehow make the podium either here or in Brazil, would be a nice sight.

Seems a very obvious retirement.

I guess Button will take his seat at Williams.

Well the right decision for him. I was never a fan of him and yeah he did come close in 2008 but I felt that championship was more or less decided by which team/driver made the least mistakes rather than who drove best.

Anyway wish him luck in whatever he is going to do next.

Who to take his seat, if not Button I hope for either Perez or Vandoorne. They seriously consider Nasr???

Sad to see Massa go even though its probably right

I don't think Perez should leave FInda when they are improving all the time and look better than Williams!

Button is their no1. choice BUT does he want to leave McLaren and does Ron want him to?

Blackhander wrote:A little sad to see him go but not at all surprising either, glad that he had his time in Williams as he's been a completely different driver these last few years and actually seemed HAPPY!

As for Williams, they could do a lot worse than Kvyat

I agree 100%

Amon wrote:Well the right decision for him. I was never a fan of him and yeah he did come close in 2008 but I felt that championship was more or less decided by which team/driver made the least mistakes rather than who drove best.

Anyway wish him luck in whatever he is going to do next.

Who to take his seat, if not Button I hope for either Perez or Vandoorne. They seriously consider Nasr???

Big sponsorship money

Lt. Drebin wrote:

pendulumeffect wrote:Just a shame for him that he had that unsafe release at Singapore in 2008.

Plus at the Hungarian GP, he retired 3 laps to go from the safe lead. He overtook both Mclarens from 3rd on the grid with spectacular move and never got challenged for the win. Shame!

The drive of his life IMO

I'll admit I was never a big fan of Massa. I felt he often caused accidents with unreasonable defending and would then act as though he was completely innocent. I do, however, respect Massa's ability as a driver; especially his quickness over a single lap. He dominated Raikkonen in qualifying (even during Kimi's WDC season) and I think he is most instrumental in really changing the way fans regard the top drivers in the sport.

No one saw it coming when he really gained the upper hand in that matchup with Kimi and it was perhaps the biggest upset among teammates we've seen in recent years. I think it was hard on him when Alonso was signed and he was essentially pushed back into the same position that he was in with Michael. That really halted the momentum in his career and he never really recovered from that.

I was glad to see him perform admirably at Williams these last couple of years and end his career on a positive note. His 2008 season was very memorable and the title went down to the last lap of the season. It's just too bad that turned out to be his last title shot.

Always had a soft spot for Massa, I dont think anyone will ever get as close to winning a WDC without actually doing it as he did. Got absolutely shat on by Ferrari in a hideous fashion yet by and large took it with dignity and I think that reflects well on him as a man.

Hope he can do something special in Brazil (<_< an already 4 time WDC Hamilton suddenly going slowly with a lap to go with Massa in 2nd would be fun)