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F1 European Grand Prix – Ferrari’s Massa Takes on the Race
By Claudia Beckford
The 27-year-old Brazilian driver Felipe Massa continues his excellent performance in the Formula One tracks, this time at the Valencia circuit where he won the race and he is now battling to take on the number one position from his McLaren rival Lewis Hamilton in the F1 rankings.
Massa, who drives for the Italian team Ferrari and whose career began back in 2002, has an extend background of 100 races, 9 wins in total, 13 pole positions, and 24 podium finishes.
Massa’s Formula One career began when he became part of the BMW-Sauber team in 2002, where he gained plenty of experience. He did not race the following year but returned to the tracks in 2004 and together with his teammate Fischella, they managed more than 22 points for the team.
As of 2006 Massa became part of one of the leading F1 teams in the racing world, Ferrari, and ever since he has excelled all expectations. During this campaign, he achieved most of his podium finishes alongside with team mate Michael Schumacher.
In 2007 Massa had a late start due to persistent mechanical problems. Later, he was disqualified from the Canadian Grand Prix race as a punishment for leaving the pit while in red light. The Brazilian finished the World Championship with a total of 94 points in the fourth position of the standings while his team mate, Räikkönen, became the world title holder that year. After his struggles to overcome such adversities, the Ferrari managers negotiated with him to extend his contract for another three years until 2010.
Throughout the 2008 Formula One Championship season, Massa did not have such a successful beginning as during the three first races he was not able to show his abilities neither his potential as a Ferrari driver. Nevertheless, in Spain Massa obtained second place to world champion title holder Räikkönen, who is also his team mate. During the first days of May, Massa manages to win the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park making this his third consecutive year of triumphs at the circuit. Massa’s race time was of 1:26:49.451 closely followed by McLaren rival Lewis Hamilton. More less a month later in France, Massa tops team mate by conquering the Magny-Cours circuit and only this past weekend the Brazilian wins the European Grand Prix at the maiden race at the Spanish circuit in the city of Valencia.
Massa’s recent victory is going under investigation due to the fact it seems he got on to the track before he was given the release permission, therefore, a safety issue is being alleged. Massa also stated that "The track here is not very easy, especially the surface (which) is a little bit slippery, so to make the perfect lap is always difficult.
Anyhow, there is no question his driving was neat and he arrived to the finish line comfortably. On the other hand, McLaren’s driver, Hamilton, finished second and now Massa is only 6 points behind him. In the constructors’ standings, Ferrari leads with 121 points while McLaren shows 113 and the BMW- Sauber team has 94 points.
About the author
Claudia Beckford provides current Formula One Championship content as well as information in the sports betting industry. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.
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