Santander to back Massa in kart races in Brazil

Felipe Massa has unveiled Santander as his main sponsor in the two major kart races organized in Brazil. The Spanish giant bank will back Massa at the "International Challenge of Go-Kart Champions" on Saturday and Sunday (November 28-29) in Florian¢polis and the following week at Granja Viana 500 Mile in Cotia near São Paulo. Santander, one of the partners of the Scuderia as of 2010 and whose logos will appear on Ferrari’s car and driver’s overall from next season, has been increasing his participation on Brazilian market and is currently the 4th biggest bank in the country.

Massa is looking forward to starting a relationship previously supposed to begin only in 2010. "I’m glad to get this support from Santander. Lately I met President Emilio Botin twice and he is absolutely excited about the potential of the Brazilian market. I’m sure we are setting up a strong partnership", Massa commented.

Santander will début as Massa sponsor in a fine style. The fourth edition of the "International Challenge of Go-Kart Champions" will once again attract top class drivers from international series as Michael Schumacher, Giancarlo Fisichella, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Luca Badoer, Rubens Barrichello, Tony Kanaan, Christian Fittipaldi and many others. Massa won the event in 2006 and was afterwards followed by Schumacher in 2007 and Barrichello in 2008.

Massa will also be backed by Santander at Granja Viana 500 Mile in his chase for his third victory. Champion in 1997 and 2002, Massa will lead the karts numbers 19 and 91 along with his brother Dudu, Renault third driver Lucas di Grassi and national series and kart racers Felipe Lapenna, J£lio Campos, Felipes Apezzatto and Victor Guerin. The traditional endurance race is scheduled for December 4th and 5th.