Felipe Massa

Felipe Massa, born on April 25, 1981, is a Brazilian racing driver with a career spanning multiple racing disciplines. Best known for his Formula 1 career from 2002 to 2017, Massa achieved significant success, most notably as the runner-up in the 2008 World Drivers' Championship with Ferrari. Throughout his 15 seasons in F1, he secured 11 Grand Prix victories, 16 pole positions, and 41 podium finishes. Massa's early career involved karting and progression through Formula Chevrolet, Formula Renault, and Formula 3000, where he won several championships.

Massa's Formula 1 journey began with Sauber, where he demonstrated promise despite some rookie errors. A stint as a Ferrari test driver followed before he returned to Sauber. In 2006, he joined Ferrari alongside Michael Schumacher, marking a turning point in his career. He achieved his first F1 win at the Turkish Grand Prix and became the first Brazilian since Ayrton Senna to win his home Grand Prix. The 2008 season saw him in a close title battle, ultimately losing to Lewis Hamilton by a single point in a dramatic final race. A severe injury in 2009 at the Hungarian Grand Prix threatened his career, but he made a full recovery.

After Ferrari, Massa joined Williams, securing podiums and a pole position before initially retiring in 2016. However, he returned for the 2017 season due to Valtteri Bottas's move to Mercedes. Following his F1 career, Massa ventured into Formula E with Venturi and Stock Car Pro Series in Brazil, showcasing his versatility. Beyond racing, Massa has been involved in karting administration, serving as president of the Commission Internationale de Karting. He remains a respected figure in motorsport, recognized for his skill, sportsmanship, and enduring partnership with Richard Mille.