Ferrari Team Principal, Stefano Domenicali and driver Fernando Alonso have paid tribute to Felipe Massa after he announced his exit from the team on Twitter last night.

Ferrari announced today that Kimi Raikkonen would replace Massa at Ferrari, and following both announcements Domenicali thanked Massa for his eight years with the team and praised Massa for being a “real team player”.

“I wish to thank Felipe with all my heart and also on behalf of all our fans around the world, for the extraordinary job he has done for the team over so many years,” Domenicali said. “Felipe has always behaved like a real team player. Together we have lived through some great times and also a few dramatic moments, which have helped to cement a truly unique relationship on both a professional and personal level.”

“He will always be part of our family and we wish him all the very best for the future. Now we must concentrate all our efforts on the remaining seven races of the season and we know that, as always, we can count on Felipe’s contribution, while we work together to reach our goals. Our determination will not waver one iota right to the very end.”

Fernando Alonso also took to Twitter to thank his team mate of the past four years.

Posted with a collage of photos of their time together, Alonso wrote, “All the luck for next years! You will be a strong opponent in any team! And we still have 7 GP to have some fun!”

Photo Credits:

Alonso and Massa, top photo – Ferrari F1 Twitter Team

Alonso and Massa collage – Fernando Alonso, posted on Twitter