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Massa to stay in F1 paddock after retirement

Felipe Massa says he wouldn't be able to enjoy returning to the F1 paddock after retiring from racing without having work lined up from next season.

After the Brazilian driver confirmed he will retire from racing in F1 at the end of the season with Williams, speculation has been rife surrounding Massa's future with a potential move to the World Endurance Championship.

While Massa hasn't ruled out the possibility of turning his attention to WEC, Massa says he will return to the F1 paddock in 2017 to do media work while also continuing to work with sponsors inside the sport.

The Williams driver has confirmed he will 'definitely' stay in motorsport in some capacity but isn't yet able to confirm his full plans for 2017.

"I think I will come to some races with some work with some companies using my image," Massa said. "If I do some television it will be maybe five races during the season, not really a proper job.

"I have so many things that I'm working with, I'm still planning to come to maybe five or six races during the season and be part of this that I enjoy. For sure it will be a different feeling when you arrive not as a driver and doing different things, but I think there's a lot to do and I'm ready for this."

Despite having work lined up outside of driving Massa says he won't take the same enjoyment as competing in F1 as he prepares to end his 14-season racing career in the sport next month.

"I'm not so sure you can really enjoy the paddock, I think you need to have some things to do," he said. "Just coming here to watching I don't think that's enjoyment for me.

"I think I'm planning to come and to do some work, and be linked with some sponsors or some companies that I can help, talking with the fans, with the people, clients, so you need to have a job."

Looking ahead to his final four races in F1, including his last home GP which hosts the penultimate round, Massa is determined to help Williams overcome Force India in the battle for fourth in the F1 world constructors' championship. Massa's squad currently trails the Silverstone-based team by 10 points.

"I just want to do everything I can in every race, I know how important it is for the team the fight with Force India, how important it is for me to get some good results," he said. "I think maybe there's a bit less pressure, I think you put pressure on yourself because you want to finish well." 

Zdroj: crash.net