Felipe Massa says he is targeting a “great result” at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the Williams driver set to bow out of Formula One after his 250th start.
Massa already experienced an emotional weekend in Brazil at the previous round, as he took part in his final home race before retiring from the sport.
As he prepares to bring the curtain come down on a career that has spanned 11 grand prix wins in 15 seasons, the Brazilian veteran admits the Yas Marina event will be special occasion.
“It’s going to be another emotional one!” Massa said. “You try not think about it too much when you’re in the car, you just try to do as good a job as you can.
“It’s a really nice track to drive, there are lots of fans who really enjoy themselves at the track and outside of the track and it is, of course, a twilight race which is interesting for us and everyone watching.
“I really hope the final, and 250th race of my Formula One career, can be a fantastic one. We will of course have a big party! Hopefully we can celebrate with a great result.”
Massa’s best result to date in Abu Dhabi was when he led team-mate Valtteri Bottas to a strong 2-3 finish for Williams in the 2014 edition.
The Grove-based outfit will need a similar result this weekend if it is to stand a chance of overhauling Force India for fourth place in the Constructors’ championship. Williams currently trails its Silverstone-based rivals by 27 points.
TECHNICAL: Under the skin of the McLaren-Honda MP4-31
INTERVIEW: Rob Smedley on Felipe Massa
FEATURE: When F1 team-mates fight for the title
SILBERMANN: A long-winded tribute to an often long-winded man
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