Massa wants high note at his F1 curtain call

Felipe Massa wants to end his Formula 1 career with a strong finish as he braces for his last-ever race in the sport at the 2017 finale in Abu Dhabi for Williams.

After confirming his retirement from F1 during the build-up to his home race in Brazil, where Massa clinched an impressive seventh place holding off Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez, the Williams driver has his sights set on a similar flourish at the Yas Marina circuit to call an end to his career.

Having experienced an emotional goodbye at Interlagos last time out, Massa is preparing for a repeat to bow out of F1 on a high in his 269^th race start in the sport having claimed 11 wins, 14 pole positions and 15 fastest laps.

“It will be quite an emotional weekend as it will be my final race with Williams as well as my final race in Formula One,” Massa said. “I am looking forward to it and plan to enjoy every moment, to finish my Formula One career on a high note.”

Williams have refused to comment on who will replace Massa in its driver line-up from 2018 with reports suggesting a deal has already been completed with Robert Kubica to join alongside Lance Stroll. The Polish driver is set to test for the British squad in its current specification FW40 car in Abu Dhabi at the Pirelli tyre test after the race.