Giancarlo Fisichella says ‘very good’ teammate always looked like a future star

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Former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella has admitted that old teammate Felipe Massa always looked like a star of the future.

Fisichella was chatting about his time in Formula 1 on the Beyond The Grid Podcast.

The Italian driver was consistently brilliant throughout his 13 years in the sport.

After starting as so many drivers did at Minardi, he went on to race for more than half the grid.

He spent time with Jordan, Benetton, Sauber, Renault and Force India before a final cameo with Ferrari.

It was the perfect ending for the three-time race winner who like all Italians dreamed of racing for the iconic team.

During his time in F1, Fisichella has plenty of teammates.

Some went on to greatness, such as Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

Fisichella admitted that it was obvious that Brazilian Felipe Massa was also going to be a star.

The pair raced together for a season at Sauber, before Fisichella joined Renault.

Fisichella knew Massa was going to be a star

Asked whether he could see the potential in Massa when they drove together, Fisichella said: “Felipe [Massa] was very, very quick, it was difficult to beat him but he was young.

“He didn’t have much experience, and something was making mistakes but in terms of speed Felipe was very, very good.”

Massa was unfortunate never to win a Drivers’ Championship during his 14 seasons in F1.

After two years at Sauber, he joined Ferrari and became one of their longest-serving drivers.

Only legends Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen started more Grand Prix for the Italian team than Massa.

He came agonisingly close to winning the Drivers’ Championship in 2008, only denied by an overtake on the final corner of his home Grand Prix by Lewis Hamilton.

Massa was undeniably still a star of the sport and it’s no surprise Fisichella recognised his potential early on.

After a long spell with Ferrari, Massa joined a Williams team threatening to compete at the front of the grid.

He recorded his final pole position in his first season with the team and his last podium in 2015, nine years after his first.

Massa is still racing now against fellow F1 alumni Rubens Barrichello, Ricardo Zonta and Nelson Piquet Jr. in Stock Car Brazil.