Felipe Massa says he was “proud” to be fighting up to the very last lap in his final Formula 1 race at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
At the Italian Grand Prix earlier in the year, Massa announced he would be retiring from F1 at the end of the season.
The Brazilian driver qualified in 10th place for the race and finished in ninth, fighting right to the end to score the best result he could.
After the race, he also thanks Williams for giving him his Brazilian GP chassis as a leaving gift, following three seasons with the British team.
“Well, I’m really proud to have been fighting up to the last lap of the race in the same way I fought in the first lap of my career,” he said.
“I want to say thank you to everyone – everyone who has been with me all the way, racing together. Thank you to the fans and to Williams, who I will keep supporting in the future.
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of everything I have been through. I have finished my career with my head up, the same way I started my career.
“I also took a little extra care with the car seeing as it will now be my car – thank you again to Williams for that gift.”
