Felipe Massa biography - 4th August 18:20pm GMT

Nationality: Brazilian
Born: April 25 1981 in Sao Paulo.
Grand Prix starts: 46
Formula One debut: Australia 2002
Total career points - 24

Career highlights:
1990 - Began karting career in Sao Paulo.
1990-97 - Brazilian karting.
1997 - Won the Granja Viana 500 kart endurance race.
1998 - Fifth in Brazilian Formula Chevrolet.
1999 - Brazilian Formula Chevrolet champion.
2000 - Won Italian Formula Renault series.
2001 - Won European Formula 3000 series.
2002 - Formula One debut with Sauber. 13th, four points.
2003 - Ferrari test driver.
2004 - Signed two-year contract with Sauber; finished fourth in Belgian Grand Prix. 12th, 12 points
2005 - Finished fourth in Canadian Grand Prix; eight points to date

Massa stunned observers by setting faster times in testing at Mugello in Italy in 2001 than Ferrari's Michael Schumacher. He was hired by Sauber after five tests to replace Kimi Raikkonen. The Brazilian had a difficult debut season, crashing a few too many times for Sauber's liking. They replaced him with the experienced Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Massa was sent to finishing school with Ferrari. Now managed by son of Ferrari boss Jean Todt and always seen as a possible Ferrari driver. Massa has said he learnt a lot from his year with the champions.