Massa handed new post-F1 role with FIA

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Felipe Massa might have stepped down from Formula 1, but he's clearly not putting his feet up anytime soon.

The Brazilian has been named the new head of the FIA's CIK/International Karting Commission. Netherland’s Kees van de Grint will retain his position as the commission's vice-president.

The announcement was made at the World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris last week. However, Massa had hinted at a move along these lines during his final Grand Prix weekend at Abu Dhabi.

“We are discussing with some people from the FIA so I can do something,” Massa had said. “I am sure with the experience I have and related to motor racing, if I can give help I can do it."

Massa has ruled out taking up a role as a race steward, saying that he wanted more time to spend with his young family.

But his racing days are certainly far from over. He's already confirmed that he will take part in the Brazilian Stock Car Championship opener at Interlagos in March.

Massa will drive for Caca Bueno's Cimed Racing team. He will share driving duties with Bueno himself, a five-time series champion. It will be the first time since 1999 that Massa will take part in a Brazilian championship.

Massa happy to sign off from F1 with top ten finish

"I am honoured by the invitation," said Massa. "[I] will be very proud to make my debut in Stock Car in tandem with the greatest champion in activity and my great friend.

"Cimed Racing, as the current two-time champion, is the ideal team to face a challenge like this, in an extremely competitive championship."

"Sharing the car with Felipe, after all the joys that he has provided us in F1, will be very gratifying," said Bueno. "It is a name that brings even more international visibility to our category.

"[It] will certainly bring an even greater responsibility to start 2018 with many achievements."

Massa has also been linked to a race seat in the FIA's Formula E all-electric championship.

His exit from F1 means that 2018 will be the first season since 1969 without a single Brazilian driver on the Grand Prix starting grid.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.