体坛英语新闻：Massa extends Ferrari contract

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ferrari has extended the contract of Brazilian driver Felipe Massa for another year, the Formula One team said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old's future appeared in doubt after a poor start to the season and reports suggested he could be replaced by Force India's Nico Hulkenberg or Paul di Resta.

But a series of impressive results, including a fourth placing at the South Korean Grand Prix on Sunday and second in Japan a week earlier, have swayed Ferrari chiefs.

"Ferrari is my sporting family and I've always raced in F1 with motors built in Maranello," said Massa, referring to his previous stint with Sauber.

"I can't see myself at the wheel of a car powered by anyone else."

Massa, who hasn't won a race since the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2009, is currently ninth in the driver's standings with 81 points. Red Bull Renault's Sebastian Vettel leads the championship race with 215 points with Massa's Ferrari teammate Fernando Alsonso second on 209 points.

"He has shown himself to be competitive again and at his best recently, which is what we expect from every Ferrari driver," team principal Stefano Domenicali said.

"We've always supported Felipe, even in the toughest times of his career. We're sure of his worth and that he'll know how to repay the confidence we've renewed in him."