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F1 Italian GP: Issues plague ‘relaxed’ Massa after emotional day

Felipe Massa says he's felt relaxed and calm during Friday free practice despite technical glitches hitting his progress as he looks to help Williams reclaim fourth from Force India in the F1 teams' standings.

The Brazilian driver confirmed yesterday he was calling an end to his 15-year F1 career after the conclusion of this season, with the Italian Grand Prix marking the start of his long goodbye to the sport.

Frustratingly for Massa, his day was hampered by issues - a boost component replacement in FP1 followed by a brake sensor failure in FP2 limiting his running - which left him 11th on the timesheet, almost three-tenths off Valtteri Bottas.

"I couldn't do a long run because we had a little issue today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon," Massa said. "I had some issues with the brake sensors and for safety we didn't run. Then we decided to change the sensors and it was fine after but then I just did three laps at the end. So for me it's a little bit difficult."

After Force India overtook Williams in the F1 world constructors' championship at Spa, Massa confirmed the teams' goal is to reclaim the place over the final third of the year, something the Brazilian wants to gift to the squad as his leaving present.

"The difficult day was yesterday so now I'm just relaxed and thinking of doing as much as I can in these last eight races to actually put us back in front of Force India until the end of the year," he said. "That's the target and we will try everything we can.

"I was quite relaxed actually, I am just thinking about doing the best I can in these last eight races and enjoy this moment, giving everything I can to do an amazing last eight races of the season. I'm happy and relaxed with my decision as well." 

Zdroj: crash.net