Massa ‘not worried’ about F1 drive for 2017 - MotorSportsTalk

Felipe Massa is not worried about securing a drive in Formula 1 for 2017, remaining confident that he will be racing for a “top team” next season.

With Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull confirming their line-ups for 2017 already, Williams is the highest-ranking team still with seats available.

Both Massa and teammate Valtteri Bottas are out of contract at the end of the year, leading to speculation about their future.

Massa, 35, spoke about his plans for 2017 in Thursday’s FIA press conference ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, expressing his confidence of remaining with a top team.

“Well, I am confident, definitely,” Massa said.

“I think everyone knows what I am able to do, what I am able to achieve. Drive, experience inside the team, or other teams.

“So I’m really looking for things to go in the right direction – but not in a big worry.

“Just trying to do my job race by race and we’ll see what’s going to happen.

“The Plan A is to stay in a top team, in a good team, like Williams or maybe like another team.

“I think the time will give the right answer. As I said, I’m not really worried, trying to do my job in the best way every race and that’s the only thing I’m looking for.”

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Read more about SuperMotocross