Massa wants full racing programme in 2017

The Brazilian, who clocked up 250 grand prix starts, announced his retirement on the eve of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September.

Massa and Webber reflect and look ahead

Having raced with Sauber and Ferrari since making his F1 debut in 2002, Massa finished 11th in the drivers' standings in his final campaign, 32 points adrift of Williams team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

While the 2008 world championship runner-up has yet to decide on the exact programme, he is certain he will continue to race next year.

"I'm working for a proper championship, a full season," Massa told Autosport. "I have not decided yet but I have some strong ideas.

"I am completely ready to keep racing in another category.

"I saw drivers like Michael [Schumacher] who were not accepting to race in another category, so then he was riding bikes and so many things.

"But I don't see the reason not to do something you like to do, which is driving, so I am fine to keep driving."

Massa said he would be "interested" in doing one-off events, such as the Le Mans 24 Hours, but ruled out the Indianapolis 500, saying "for sure I will not do that".

He also remains keen to be involved in F1, albeit it with his time in the paddock scaled back significantly.

"I will come to some F1 races - not all of the races but some, five or six races and maybe doing some jobs around my image, working with some companies as an ambassador," he said.

"First, I need to relax. I need to have a nice time at home and not going to simulator or meetings.

"After two or three months I need to do something and you cannot sit in your house watching the television - I cannot do that - I will find something to do."

Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds praised Massa's efforts over the last three years since arriving from Ferrari, adding he was key in helping transform the team's fortunes after it finished ninth in the 2013 constructors' championship.

"In 2014 he brought some prestige to the team and that was part of the restructuring," said Symonds.

"We showed we could take a top driver, pay him well and get the job done.

"He's brought a great spirit to the team. He's really built up the team, the team's spirit and he's raced well and got some points.

"He's a good guy and I'm really, really sorry to see him go."