Massa’s future remains open

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Date: 23rd September 2013 at 9:55am
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Felipe Massa still remains uncertain just where his future lies in Formula One.

Following the announcement that Kimi Raikkonen would be leaving Lotus at the end of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship season and joining Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, Felipe Massa has known that he will be on the move for next season.

The Brazilian has always insisted that he wants to remain in Formula One, but only in a competitive car and in the past has hinted that he would retire from Formula One if that wasn’t to be the case.

Over the past couple of weeks Massa had been linked with moves to both Lotus and McLaren with Massa’s manager Nicolas Todt reportedly holding talks with both of them.

McLaren appears an unlikely move with Jenson Button and Sergio Perez expected to remain with the team, although the delay in the team making that announcement has raised a few eyebrows in the paddock.

The more likely move for the 32-year-old would appear to be Lotus.

With Kimi leaving the team certainly has one seat available while Romain Grosjean’s future isn’t 100% certain either.

That could mean that both Massa and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg could make the switch, but if Grosjean remains, it will be between Massa and Hulkenberg for that one remaining seat.

‘Well he [Massa’s manager] is speaking with a few people and we will see what is going to be the best possibility for me,’ Massa told Sky Sports over the course of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.

‘I don’t think things are going to be decided so soon, but let’s see how it is going to be and I hope I can choose the right the right direction.’

Lotus Team Principal Eric Boullier was seen talking with Massa’s manager Nicolas Todt over the weekend and there is also a sponsorship link between Massa and Lotus.

With Sky Sports Martin Brundle explaining: ‘I think finances are going to play a part – one of Felipe’s personal sponsors, Richard Mille, is on the front of the Lotus which I can imagine is going to spin up into an interesting situation for the team financially and you know Massa is going to do a good job.