Weeks away from his final race with Ferrari, a relationship that spans eight seasons and 136 Grands Prix, Felipe Massa reflects on his time with the Maranello outfit.

The answer that has attracted the most media coverage is when the Brazilian was asked who was his strongest teammate. "Fernando," he replied. "Schumacher was as quick, but in terms of intelligence, Alonso is better because he manages to put everything together perfectly."

However, there some other interesting tid-bits along the way.

Asked for his best moment with the team, the answer wasn't as obvious as you might think: "Definitely 2008 when I came that close to the world title, with many wins and poles," he said, before adding: "But the day that will always stay with me was the one of my first win in Brazil (2006). For a Brazilian to win at home is like taking the championship. Remember Senna? When he won in Interlagos he was happier than when he won the championship! I learned to race in Interlagos, I grew up there: to win there in a Ferrari wearing a green and yellow suit was the best moment of my life."

And what does it mean to be a Ferrari driver? "It's a privilege to be part of the reds," he said. "And then, driving for this team means always being under the spotlight, you must always push to the maximum without worrying what people will say about you. It's like being in a National football team, driving for Ferrari is like being in the Italian football team or playing for Selecao. You have to be prepared.

"I have always behaved honestly and have given my all in my work on the track, with the engineers and in the factory," he said, when asked the secret of how he lasted eight seasons with the Maranello team. "I think I have always acted very professionally."

Despite some of the less than flattering comments made about him by team president Luca di Montezemolo, Massa remains loyal to his boss. "He is a big hearted person, and an able promoter. He knows how to describe and sell the idea of Ferrari. He is the right man for the job of president and I'm not just talking about the racing. He has an enormous aptitude for representing the company.

"Definitely a friend," he said of team principal Stefano Domenicali, "we have grown up together at Ferrari."

And his loyal engineer, Rob Smedley: "He has played an important role in my career. When I first raced for Ferrari my race engineer was Gabrielle Delli Colli, but things didn't go as they should have done and so I chose Rob who was there at the start and was with the test team. He knows me 100%."

However, he also had high praise for the four0time world champion, dismissing the claims that it is the car that is most responsible for the German's success. "It is 100% down to him and his car," said the Brazilian. "It's true he drives the quickest and most consistent car. But then it's he who manages to extract its potential, who takes pole, who puts 6 tenths over on everyone, including his team-mate! He's a fantastic driver.

Having made it clear that if he cannot find a drive with a leading, or potentially leading, F1 team for 2014 he will leave the sport, he was asked about the direction in which he might head. "I love racing, it's part of my life and makes me happy," he replied. Maybe after F1 I'll try my hand at some other category... DTM or Brazilian Stock Cars."

Would he follow Mark Webber to Sports Cars? "I have no experience of endurance racing, however if they managed to get more top teams involved it could become interesting."

Finally, he was asked if, after his accident in 2009, his priorities in life had changed. "No absolutely not," he replied. "Only that now I value life more. Because you always think nothing can happen to you and then..."