02/08/2005
NEWS STORY
Speaking of his team's decision to release Rubens Barrichello from his contract a year early and sign Felipe Massa, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo said: "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.
"I wish to thank Rubens for his contribution over the past few years," he added, "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."