user icon
user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Massa describes F1 pay-drivers as 'prostitutes'

Massa describes F1 pay-drivers as 'prostitutes'

  • Published on 21 Nov 2013 11:12
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Felipe Massa has likened F1 pay-drivers to prostitutes. After eight years with Ferrari, the Brazilian will switch to Williams after this weekend's 2013 season finale in his native Sao Paulo. It was thought that Massa, 32, was bringing some Brazilian sponsorship backing to the seat currently occupied by the heavily PDVSA-backed Pastor Maldonado.

But Massa insists he will remain a "professional" racing driver in his own right at Williams. "For all that I've gone through, and everything I've achieved, it makes no sense to pay to race," he is quoted by Brazil's Globo.

However, Massa said he would help Williams - the once-great F1 team - to find some new sponsors. "Of course, I will do all I can," he said. "Money is good for improving the car and I have great relationships with some companies, some of them Brazilian. The crisis has hit all teams, big and small," added Massa.

He said he also negotiated with "Lotus, Force India and McLaren" about 2014. "But (Lotus team boss Eric) Boullier did not do anything as though he really wanted to do something (for 2014). Then Williams came after me. The first conversation was 'We want you'. And that was very important for me."

Massa said he was not interested in becoming a 'pay driver', in the sense that a driver's services are inextricably linked to his financial backing. "I don't know if this is how I should describe it, because it is a very strong word," Massa said. "But the word is 'prostitute'," he is quoted by UOL Esporte. "Not having to do that - pay to drive - is my greatest pride. It is logical to help with sponsors, but I will not be a prostitute," added Massa. (GMM)
F1 News Felipe Massa Pastor Maldonado Lotus F1 Williams McLaren Force India Ferrari

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

Related news

World Championship standings 2022

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
759
2
Ferrari
554
3
Mercedes
514
4
Alpine F1
173
5
McLaren
159
6
Alfa Romeo Racing
55
7
Aston Martin
55
8
Haas F1
37
9
Alpha Tauri
35
10
Williams
8
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Driver profile

BR Felipe Massa -
  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country BR
  • Date of b. Apr 21 1981 (41)
  • Place of b. Sao Paulo, BR
  • Weight 59 kg
  • Length 1.66 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Lotus F1
Lotus F1
Show full profile

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia
Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco
Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom
Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria
Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France
Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Aug 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
2 - Sep 4
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
9 - Sep 11
Italy
Monza
30 - Oct 2
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
7 - Oct 9
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
21 - Oct 23
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
28 - Oct 30
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
11 - Nov 13
Brazil
Interlagos
18 - Nov 20
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Aug 28
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
2 - Sep 4
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
9 - Sep 11
Italy Monza
30 - Oct 2
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
7 - Oct 9
Japan Circuit Suzuka
21 - Oct 23
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
28 - Oct 30
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
11 - Nov 13
Brazil Interlagos
18 - Nov 20
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar