In a recent interview for F1i.com Felipe Massa spoke of how he is under “no pressure” as he starts the final year of his contract with Williams. In terms of making a decision as to his future he is in no hurry.

After moving to the Williams Martini team Felipe has secured five podium finishes and has helped the Williams team secure third in the Constructors’ championship two years in a row. His performances against his team-mate Valtteri Bottas have also been very encouraging. But where he will be beyond 2016 will ultimately come down to how he performs on the track.

Felipe said: “I think no pressure. I just need to wait a little bit of time until after the start of the new season. Hopefully we can start well, hopefully we can have a good season and then we will decide what to do. When nothing is on paper you don’t know.

“Also in 2017 everything will change so it can even be positive to stay but I think I will have time to decide and to see what the options will be and even if I stay in this very nice team like Williams or not, I don’t know. It will take a bit of time.”

When questioned as to what he saw himself doing in 2017 and beyond it would all come down to what opportunities were presented to him.

Felipe added: “Yeah for sure, if you have a good opportunity. If you have a team that can give you a competitive car and this is what I’m looking for first.

“Otherwise maybe it will be the time [to retire], I don’t know. We need to wait and see, now it is impossible to answer that question.”