Williams driver Felipe Massa has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old confirmed the news today ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Massa, who has previously driven for Sauber and Ferrari, has spent 14 years in the sport, winning 11 races and finishing on the podium 41 times.
In a column for Motorsport.com, Massa said: "In recent months I have been thinking a lot about my future and I have taken the decision that at the end of this season, I will leave Formula 1.
"Life presents us with many choices and I think for me it has got to the time where I have to go and do something different. Maybe you will see me again at the wheel of a race car, but at the moment the only certainty I have is that I will have a lot of time to decide on what I do in the future.
"Deciding what I do next will be done in a calm manner - in the same way that I took the decision to end my time in F1."
Massa's fellow Brazilian Felipe Nasr is favourite to take the soon-to-be vacant seat at Williams, while Valtteri Bottas is expected to retain his position within the team.
Just 39 points have been won by Massa this season, and he picked up only three in the last eight races.
Danielle Joynson
