Massa will not play second fiddle (From Bucks Free Press)

Massa will not play second fiddle

3:18pm Thursday 29th July 2010 in

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Felipe Massa has said he will walk away from Formula One the day he becomes a number two driver.

At last week's German Grand Prix Massa was told, via coded messages from race engineer Rob Smedley, to hand victory to Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso after leading for the majority of the opening 49 laps of the 67-lap race.

Ferrari's decision has effectively ensured Massa will now have to play second fiddle to Alonso for the remainder of the season, but the Brazilian said: "The time I say I am a number two driver I will not race any more, and I am not (a number two)."

Asked what would happen if he found himself in the same situation, with himself in the lead and Alonso second, he replied: "I will win."

Massa claims he has assurances from Ferrari, stating: "I've spoken to everybody inside the team.

"I'm not just here to race, I'm here to win, and that's my point.

"Yes, I am working for the team. We know how important that is. I want the best for the team, but I am professional."

But questioned as to whether the incident had changed his relationship with Ferrari, he revealingly replied; "It makes me even stronger."