Felipe Massa confirmed this evening that he will not be driving for Ferrari next year. An announcement had been expected from the team regarding their 2014 driver lineup later this week, and it looks like Massa has been given the chance to break his side of the news personally.

Massa's future has been a constant source of speculation and while his options for remaining in the sport look slim, he doesn't yet appear ready to say goodbye to Formula 1. His message today to fans on Twitter and Instagram talks optimistically about his future.

From 2014 I will no longer be driving for Ferrari. I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together. Thank you also to my wife and all of my family, to my fans and all my sponsors.

From each one of you I have always received a great support!

Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining 7 races. For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective!

Thank you all. Felipe.

The exit of Massa likely means the end of near legendary live radio conversations between him and race engineer Rob Smedley that brought a much needed human angle to an often clinical sport.

It remains to be seen whether there's still room for the Brazilian in F1, but we are certain the series will be considerably less enjoyable without him around.

Ferrari's 2014 lineup will no doubt become clear in the next few days.