Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo thanks Rubens Barrichello for his contribution to the Scuderia's winning of five constructor's cups (from 2000-2004) while new-signing Felipe Massa expresses his 'pride' at joining Ferrari.

Luca di Montezemolo

"We gave Rubens Barrichello the possibility of accepting an offer of a multi-year contract, longer therefore than the length of his relationship with us, while we also had the possibility of exercising an existing option in the contract we have with Felipe Massa, a young driver who nevertheless already has sufficient experience and whom we had already targeted as far back as 2001," stated Ferrari Group President Luca di Montezemolo this afternoon. "I wish to thank Rubens for his contribution over the past few years, which, to date, has helped us to win five Constructors' Championships. From him, from everyone at Ferrari and from our technical partners, first and foremost Bridgestone, I am expecting maximum concentration and effort to get back to winning ways before the end of this season."

Felipe Massa

“I am very happy and proud to be racing with Ferrari in 2006. Maranello has believed in me since 2001, when I had yet to make my Formula 1 debut," said Felipe Massa this evening in a statement released by Ferrari.
 

"Now, I am in my third season as a Sauber driver and I can also count on a year’s experience as a Ferrari test driver, an experience which helped me to grow a great deal.  I feel ready for this new challenge, which is the best opportunity of my career. I am aware of the responsibility it places on me and I cannot wait to be part of a team like Ferrari, alongside the best driver in the world, Michael Schumacher.

"I wish to thank Peter Sauber for having had faith in me over these past three years. I will do my very best in the final six races of the season to get the best possible results for his team.”