Massa returning to scene of ‘best’ Williams race

Felipe Massa hopes he and Williams can repeat their 2014 double podium performance at Abu Dhabi during this weekend’s Formula One season finale.

The Brazilian veteran and team-mate Valtteri Bottas enjoyed a very strong outing at Yas Marina Circuit 12 months ago, with Massa finishing runner-up and less than three seconds adrift of race winner Lewis Hamilton.

“Abu Dhabi last season, I think this was the best race I’ve had in my time at Williams,” said the 11-time grand prix winner, who joined the Grove-based squad from Ferrari in 2014. “To be able to fight for the victory was amazing, there have been two races we were really fighting for the victory, one was Silverstone this year and the other was Abu Dhabi [in 2014].

“We got very close to winning the race, it was the best result for the team with both cars on the podium.

“I really hope we can have a similar performance as we had last year there because the car was really very strong.”

Traveling to Abu Dhabi also bears a special significance for Bottas, who secured fourth in the 2014 Drivers’ standings at the final round of that season. The Finn currently occupies the same spot, one point ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, and eyes a similar result at the “twilight” venue.

“It’s the track where I had my first official Formula One test, so I have good memories there,” Bottas said. “It’s the season finale, so it would be very nice to end the season with a strong result with both of our cars like we did last season.

“We have good memories from last year, everyone in the team was so happy, it was a really special feeling after such a difficult season in 2013 to confirm third in the constructors’ and my fourth place in the Drivers’ championship. Hopefully we can make more great memories this time.”

Sixth-placed Massa also has a shot at finishing P4, though his 19-point deficit to Bottas means he needs at least to win the race.

Unfinished business: the scores still to be settled in Abu Dhabi

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