Massa says he could have stayed in F1

Felipe Massa has indicated he would have stayed in F1 if he had a competitive car to drive for 2017.

Instead, the Brazilian has called time on his 15-year grand prix career and is looking to move to DTM, Le Mans or Formula E for 2017.

But he’s not in a rush to decide his next step.

"After Abu Dhabi I want to take a break and forget I have commitments of any kind for a few months," the 35-year-old told Brazil’s Globo.

Ahead of his last-ever home race at Interlagos, Massa also told the Brazilian Fox programme Nitro: "I’m happy with my decision. I’m convinced I made the right decision.

"It was a process to decide, but at the German grand prix, I got out of the car, looked at Claire (Williams) and said I would retire. She started crying," he revealed.

Since 2014, after losing his Ferrari seat, Massa has driven for Williams, but the British team’s competitiveness has wavered, particularly this year.

Massa admitted: "Without doubt, if I had a competitive car, I would have (stayed).

"I have always raced thinking of victory, thinking of the top of the podium. But the time in formula one is not easy now.

"There are three, four, five big teams. Mine - Williams - is an average team, so I understood that the possibility of having a competitive car, to win, started to get difficult.

"I could have continued," he revealed. "But not the way I want. So I think it’s time. We all have to understand the right time to go.

"I’m happy with my decision and grateful for everything I achieved. I have no frustration of what I went through, of my career. I’m ready for the next stage of my life, as I still have a lot to do," said Massa.