Massa: No second thoughts about retirement

The Williams driver is competing in his final home race at Interlagos this weekend, and has been overwhelmed by the warmth he has felt from paddock figures and fans.

Although admitting that it has almost felt like his final F1 race, he says the positivity he has experienced has not made him regret his decision to walk away from grand prix racing at the end of the campaign.

"It is difficult to understand that we have another race because it feels that it is the last one," said Massa. "But I am ready for that. I am still really happy with my decision and really, really looking forward for what is going to happen after."

Massa said he appreciated the warmth from everyone in F1 this weekend – although felt that he left some people disappointed after a baffling lack of pace in qualifying that has left him 13th on the grid.

"The emotions are really amazing - it is just a little bit sad for the result we had in qualifying," he said. "I really expected it to be easy in Q3, doing a good lap time, doing a great qualifying.

"Unfortunately things changed and we don't understand what happened because the car was just not competitive.

"On the other hand it was just fantastic to go out and feel the love of the people in the grandstands. I love to be here, love to have that feeling, but unfortunately I am a bit sad for them, for the result I had for them."

Massa said there was no easy answer for why his Williams had not performed in qualifying.

"It is very strange feeling. From the first lap I did in qualifying everyone was improving every time they went out, but I couldn't improve the lap time. Then I started to have a problem with the front tyres – understeer, chattering with the tyres. That was a really strange feeling to be honest.

"I was happy with the balance in the first session and then everything changed. Maybe something happened on the track, or maybe it was the wind. It just put us out of Q3."