On 1st September 2016, Massa announced that he would retire from Formula One at the end of the season.
The Brazilian, who nearly won the 2008 Formula One World Championship with Ferrari decided to leave the sport as he had appeared to have lost his seat with Williams.
Williams were set to head into the 2017 season with Valtteri Bottas and rookie driver Lance Stroll.
Massa didn’t want to stay in Formula One in an uncompetitive car and was looking for new opportunities in motorsport.
He enjoyed an emotional farewell at the Brazilian Grand Prix and enjoyed a perfect goodbye at the end of the 2016 season.
250 starts, 11 wins, 41 podiums and 16 pole positions.
But then Nico Rosberg announced his immediate retirement following his 2016 Formula One World Championship win.
Mercedes moved for Bottas and Williams gave Massa a call.
His retirement was over, without missing a single test, media session or Grand Prix weekend.
‘It was very difficult for me to say no to keep working for a team that I love to be part of,’ Massa told Sky Sports.
‘It definitely was a little bit strange for me because I had amazing retirement feelings in the last two races. Everything was just perfect so it is difficult to just go back.
‘But I think everybody understands that’s what I love to do. I was going to keep racing in another category but I’m ready and motivated.’
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