© Sutton Images

A seasoned F1 veteran who has raced alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, Felipe Massa has shown tremendous sporting prowess, skill and race craft but above all his enthusiasm for being a race driver at the top of his game. Now very much a fixture at what is arguably the most illustrious team in the world, he is a proven winner and still a potential world champion as he returns to the sport following head injuries sustained in Hungary.

He spent eight years karting before graduating to the Formula Chevrolet championship in Brazil in 1998, winning the championship the following year. A move to Europe followed and in 2000 where he took victory in the Italian Formula Renault and Eurocup series. A step up to the Euro F3000 championship followed where he claimed his fourth title in three years. Riding on the momentum, Massa tested with the Sauber F1 team and was signed up for the 2002 season.

His debut season saw undisputed race pace but he decided to take a testing role with Ferrari the following year before returning to Sauber in 2004. Having rid himself of some of his rougher edges, he secured the services of Nicolas Todt (son of former Ferrari chief Jean Todt) as his manager, and was a regular points scorer. He was joined by Jacques Villeneuve the following year and undaunted by having a former champion as a team-mate, consistently outperformed the Canadian.

He got his big break in 2006 as he rejoined Ferrari, this time as a race driver. Lining up with Michael Schumacher, he was able to show his raw speed and on occasion even left the German trailing. Despite playing the dutiful number two role, he was able to record his first grand prix win from pole position in Turkey and finished the season in third in the standings.

Massa was paired Kimi Raikkonen for the 2007 season and two wins from the first four grand prix was a promising start. His performance dwindled towards the end of the season however and he was able to win just once more. He could have been champion in 2008 but was let down by errors early in the season, both from himself and the team. He recorded his sixth win of the season in Brazil, but lost the championship to Lewis Hamilton by a single point.

After being so close to championship success, 2009 was a complete turnaround. The package was initially uncompetitive but a freak accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix brought an abrupt halt to his season and almost his life. Undoubtedly one of the best of his generation, he returns in 2010 with a point to prove and a championship to finally win.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Certain circuits seem to suit Massa and on those he is all but unbeatable given a competitive car. He does, however, remain prone to rookie style mistakes that have blunted his championship challenge in recent years.

Career High
While he lost the championship to Lewis Hamilton at his home race at Interlagos in 2008, his victory and attitude in defeat characterised Massa as the gentleman of F1.

Career Low
He was lucky to survive when he was hit in the head by a spring from a rival car in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Following surgery for serious head injuries, he remained positive and bullish on his chances of returning at the very highest level in 2010.

Quotes
"If my weekend begins well, I use the same underpants on Saturday. If that is also a good day, I wear them on Sunday. That is what I did in Brazil."

"What I don't quite understand is how Massa gets the lap times he does when he so often misses the apexes of the corners. What really does impress me is the fact that he displays a determination not to be counted out, or overlooked, when it comes to fighting for the world championship." Damon Hill.

Trivia
In May 2007 Felipe's underwear sold at auction for just under US $775. It's an urban myth that Massa had his first experience of F1 aged seven - when he delivered pizzas to the Brazilian Grand Prix. He clarified the truth recently, he was actually 17.

Claire Furnell November 2009