Bernie Ecclestone has insisted that he is trying to keep Felipe Massa in Formula 1 via the Brazilian sponsor market.
The 32-year-old Brazilian driver will leave Ferrari at the end of the season after seven years with the team, leaving his seat for Kimi Raikkonen, who will return to the Italian outfit from Lotus.
"A strong economy like the one in Brazil is in a good position to invest in a driver," Ecclestone told Estado de S.Paulo.
Manager Nicolas Todt is said to be trying to keep Massa in line for potential spots at Lotus, Force India, Sauber and Williams.