When it comes to Italy and Brazilian Felipe Massa, it's amore _ which is just as well since Massa drives for Italian team Ferrari.
``I love to come here in Italy,'' Massa said. ``For me, it is a very special country, which I love and the people are very nice, and especially the food.''
Massa, who holds an Italian passport, has been with Ferrari since 2003, first as a test driver and then on loan as a racer with Sauber in 2004-05. This season he replaced compatriot Rubens Barrichello as Ferrari's second driver behind Michael Schumacher.
``Most of the Brazilian drivers went to England to start their careers but I went to Italy,'' said Massa, who speaks perfect Italian. ``I feel very comfortable here.''
Massa was honoured last week with the keys to the southern Italian town of Cerignola _ in the region that makes up the heel of boot-shaped Italy _ where his grandparents come from.
``You can see the people are warm and I had a really very big welcome here in Monza and even last week when I went to Cerignola,'' Massa said. ``It was a very special moment for me.''
This weekend his Ferrari team will be looking for its seventh win in 11 years at Monza.
Schumacher won in 1996, '98, 2000 and 2003 and Barrichello took the checkered flag in 2002 and 2004.
