Massa: 'The people that understand racing are on my side'

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As Williams narrows its driver choice for 2017, Felipe Massa says he has received support from people within the team who "understand racing".

The Grove-based outfit is considering the Brazilian for a fifth season but is also evaluation other options which include Paul di Resta and Robert Kubica.

Massa, who retired at the end of last season before changing his mind when Valtteri Bottas moved to Mercedes, wants a decision on his future by his home race in Brazil and claims that Williams' engineering staff would like to see the 36-year-old race on.

"To be honest, we are discussing with the team, and the team knows 100 percent my points to stay another year," Massa said.

"I was always a professional driver, and I stay and I will finish as a professional driver, like I started my career. And that's the most important thing for me. The team knows what I can give to the team.

"I would say definitely I have all the people that understand about motor racing on my side inside the team – engineers and everything. That's what counts for me.

"Then you have some other decisions which are not depending on the talent of the driver, or what you can give to the team on the driving point of view. This is not up to me to say anything."

Williams mentality change won't take effect until 2018 - Massa

Massa acknowledged that the final decision resides with the team's top brass and not those who work on the factory floor.

"The people in the management, they have their own way to decide, which hopefully is in the right direction as a top team, a good team."

"I know what I give, I'm totally motivated to carry on another year. I'm staying if the team really wants to have me as a professional side, like I've always been in my career.

"That's the most important thing for me. And I'm quite relaxed. If I stay here next year, I'm sure I will do the best I can to give the best to the team, like I did a lot.

"But if not I'm relaxed to find the different way of my life as well. For sure I will not wait until December.

"I don't put a timeline, but I hope it will be in the next weeks. I don't want to arrive maybe in the last two races not knowing about my future. We'll wait and see what's going to be the decision, and I hope it will be soon."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.