Felipe Massa Quotes

I saw Lotus F1 racing as the best choice for me to progress my career, after considering several other options that were available to me.

I had a great opportunity to be an F1 driver but, on the other hand, I have a great opportunity to become a rally driver with a very good programme.

That was my dream, to drive for Ferrari, but I am not a kid any more. If Ferrari is the best team and if I get the chance to drive for Ferrari, it would be with pleasure.

It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team's ambition.

For me, it was not destiny to make it to where I am now - I thought for a long- time I would become a go-kart mechanic, or a job like this, not an F1 driver.

After your time passes at Ferrari, you may drive for another team, but you're always a Ferrari driver.

What many people don't realise is the first F1 test I was offered by Frank Williams and the team was a one-off. It was never planned that I would become part of the team or it would lead to more.

And after my interview with the Bengals, I knew this was the job for me.

I'd like to thank the management at Force India for giving me the chance to return to Formula One as a team driver.

Williams is one of the big names in F1 with a really strong pedigree, so it is an honour to be driving for them.

It seemed like whenever I got a bona fide offer from Ferrari, I couldn't do it. And vice versa - when I was ready, their seats were taken. We always had a relationship, but what's important is that I pretty much started my F1 career with them and ended it there, too.

I love the role of being the experienced driver and that is definitely the case next year - I think I am the most experienced guy in F1 next year.

When I was a kid, I would watch the grands prix. Everyone dreamt of becoming a race driver, while I only started thinking about it when I was 18 or 19. Only at that age did I seriously start thinking about this job. Before then, I would change ideas from one second to the next.

My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career, but I can't deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming.

I don't think I ever thought of growing up to be anything other than a musician. There really wasn't a plan B. Well, a kind of a distant plan B was to be a Formula One driver, but there really wasn't an entry point.

Let's make it clear: it's Ferrari I'm interested in. Drivers, we've had a lot, some very good, some great, but drivers come and go, while Ferrari remains.

My goal is to be a racer, and I want to be someone who inspires Americans to watch Formula One.

I grew up in the North of England at a time when Stirling Moss was a hero. Everyone wanted to be a racing driver.

I have to say it's been tough to leave the Ferrari family, which has been a big part of my career.

Ayrton Senna was my favorite driver who I wanted to be like.

To be announced as a race driver for McLaren is a dream come true.

I used to watch some F1 races but I was never straightaway thinking 'that is what I want to do.'

In an F1 team at the end you have your little family and I feel that Red Bull is definitely mine and my place to be at the moment.

I obviously hope that I can continue my career with McLaren but that might not be possible and if it isn't possible then I need to continue racing.

My first pole position is an emotional and hopefully historic moment as I want to be in F1 for many, many years.