# Felipe Massa Felipe Massa (born April 25, 1981) is a retired Brazilian Formula 1 driver, renowned for his aggressive driving style and fierce rivalry with Lewis Hamilton. He achieved his greatest success by winning the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship with Ferrari, becoming the first Brazilian to win the title since Ayrton Senna in 1993. ## Early Career Massa began his racing career in karting at age nine, winning his first national championship in 1998. He progressed through Formula Renault and Formula 3 before making his F1 debut in 2002 with Sauber. His early career was marked by consistent performances, including a third-place finish in the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix. ## Formula 1 Career ### Sauber (2002-2005) Massa joined Sauber in 2002, finishing fourth in the 2002 Brazilian Grand Prix. He moved to Ferrari in 2006, replacing Rubens Barrichello. His first win came in the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix, followed by another victory in the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix. ### Ferrari (2006-2013) Massa spent seven seasons with Ferrari, winning three Grand Prix titles (2006, 2007, 2008). His 2008 championship was particularly notable, as he overcame Hamilton in the final race of the season. He also secured podium finishes in 2007 and 2009, including a second-place finish in the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix. ### Williams (2014-2016) After leaving Ferrari, Massa joined Williams in 2014. He had a mixed tenure, with highlights including a podium finish in the 2014 Brazilian Grand Prix and a third-place finish in the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix. He retired from F1 after the 2016 season. ## Personal Life Massa married stylist Anna Rafaella Bassi in 2007, and they have a son, Felipe Bassi Jr. In 2009, he suffered a serious eye injury during a practice session in Hungary but recovered fully. ## Legacy Massa is celebrated as one of Brazil's greatest F1 drivers, with 11 Grand Prix victories and 32 podium finishes. His rivalry with Hamilton and his 2008 championship remain defining moments in his career.  ## Key Statistics - **Career Wins**: 11 - **Podiums**: 32 - **Championship Wins**: 1 (2008) - **First Race Win**: 2006 Turkish Grand Prix ## Notable Quotes "I always wanted to win the championship, and 2008 was the realization of a dream." - Felipe Massa ## Team History | Team | Years | Championships | Podiums | |------|-------|---------------|---------| | Sauber | 2002-2005 | 0 | 2 | | Ferrari | 2006-2013 | 3 | 18 | | Williams | 2014-2016 | 0 | 5 |