Ferrari wants to keep Massa – manager Todt

Felipe Massa’s manager has backed up reports that Ferrari is moving towards extending the Brazilian driver’s contract for 2011.

It had been reported that Nicolas Todt was in talks about a switch of teams for the 29-year-old Massa, who has often struggled for pace alongside Fernando Alonso this season.

But on the same day that Istanbul specialist Massa outqualified Alonso, Frenchman Todt played down the reports about his talks with rival teams.

“We know that F1 is filled with rumours that are often factually false,” he is quoted by Europe 1 radio from Turkey.

Earlier this weekend, boss Stefano Domenicali had answered “yes” when asked if he thinks the Maranello team will sport an unchanged lineup next year.

Said Nicolas Todt: “Felipe has been under contract to Ferrari since 2001, he has been an official driver since 2006 and he really wants to continue.

“After my latest talks with Ferrari, I think it’s a mutual desire,” he added.

32-year-old Todt also dismissed claims that Massa’s season so far has been so bad he deserves to be replaced.

“Even if it has not been fantastic, he is 17 points behind the championship leader and one of the only drivers to have finished all the races and scored points each time.

“So the situation should not be dramatised,” he insisted.

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