Felipe Massa worried about the future of young Brazilian drivers

On the list of F1, Brazil occupies a top position with eight world titles for Auriverde riders. The golden period of the 70s, 80s and 90s saw Emerson Fittipaldi win twice, before Nelson Piquet and then Ayrton Senna won three titles each in the decade 1981 – 1991.

2018 will, however, mark a first in almost 50 years, since no Brazilian driver will be at the start of the opening event of the season at the Australian Grand Prix in March. Felipa Massa announced his retirement at the end of last year, and one of the possible contenders for a seat, Felipe Nasr (former Sauber driver), finally turned to endurance and racing.IMSA.

"Of course I'm disappointed, admits Massa in the latest issue of AUTO. My country is an integral part of F1 thanks to drivers like Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Emerson Fittipaldi, and I am honored to have been part of that.

What worries me, is that there is no sign of someone who will arrive in the short term. The economic situation in Brazil plays a role, but it is not the only problem. »

The old pilot Ferrari highlights in particular the lack of possibilities to allow the emergence and initial training of young talents in Brazil. « There is no structure that allows young pilots to move from karting to the car, and there are no national series that can prepare them to go to Europe, which remains the place that offers the most opportunities for young people to progress.

I tried in 2010 with the FIAT Future Formula, but it didn’t work. Today, when I see how F4 works in so many countries, I think that Brazil needs such a championship.

We have a new president of the Brazilian Automobile Confederation, Waldner Bernardo de Oliveira, and I really hope that this will create new momentum to do something for young people. »

Brazil has Sergio Sette Camara in its ranks to try to make its colors shine at the highest level. For his part, Felipe Massa will continue his involvement in motorsport at the head of the Karting Commission at the FIA.