Massa set for second Formula One retirement?

At the end of the 2016 Formula One World Championship veteran driver Felipe Massa made an emotional goodbye from the world of F1.

The Brazilian was to be replaced by Canadian youngster Lance Stroll at Williams and with no competitive seats remaining on the F1 grid, Massa was set to leave the sport.

But the shock instant retirement of Formula One World Champion Nico Rosberg created a lifeline for Massa within F1.

Valterri Bottas, Massa’s former team-mate was handpicked by Mercedes to replace the outgoing title holder.

That left a seat open at Williams and without much time ahead of the new season, Massa returned to his old car.

But for 2018 it looks likely that it will be a change for Massa once again.

Reserve Paul di Resta is being heavily linked with a return following his impressive outing in Hungary when he was a last minute substitute for the ill Massa.

That was the Scottish drivers first drive since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix which made the performance all the more impressive.

Another driver according to motorsport.com who is on the shortlist is Robert Kubica.

Kubica’s return would be even more impressive considering his near life ending accident in a rally event.

But if it does turn out to be Massa’s final final curtain call, then the Brazilian will head over to the up-and-coming Formula E championship.

‘Yes, Formula E. But I don’t know when.’ he told motorsport.com.

‘I did a test with [Jaguar] When I decided to stop F1, I was talking with some teams and with Formula E. I wanted to see the car, I wanted to drive the car and see how it is. I did a test with them just to see how it is.

‘You cannot compare [it to Formula 1], It’s completely different but it is still a competition. [There are] some great ideas for the future and the championship is growing.

‘I think it’s fantastic [that new manufacturers are entering], and I see a big future in that category for a driver, especially after F1.’