Massa

[bawjohnson]

Goodbye after 2011 I feel - his contract is till the end of 2012, but I just don't get the impression that Ferrari value him at all?

I never got the impression that he was truly part of the Ferrari fold somehow, and recent performances have just been, well mediocre - he's not even a reliable #2 at the moment - 100 points behind Alonso, totally unable to match on pace and lapped by a Force India last time out..

Accident nonwithstanding, i feel he's a shadow of his 2008 self

Apparently in the Montana restaurant in Maranello, there is all sorts of memorabilia, - Schumacher overalls, helmets, pictures - All joined now by equally prominent Alonso artifacts, including his helmet facing Schumachers above the bar. Alternatively, finding a picture of Massa in there apparently is like finding a fart in a jacuzzi..

Also, see Smedley's pitwall outburst in the official F1 site review vid (01:25) for Belgium - certainly shows his thinking..

[easy_rider]

I'm very disappointed by Massa's performances since his return to F1.

He really doesn't look like the same driver any more.

I don't know whether it's because of the head injury, or because he can't cope with being Alonso's team-mate.

Or maybe his driving hasn't changed, and before he simply looked better than he really was, by virtue of being compared to a Kimi Raikkonen who'd lost interest.

I'd like to think that last one isn't the case, but whatever the reason, it's sad to see.

It's also sad that Ferrari choose to idolise Alonso at Massa's expense. Although Alonso is admittedly more talented than Massa and always was, Massa is just so much more likeable than Alonso.

[Abb0nz]

Massa is being treated the same as RB was in the MS days. I'm not sure why this should be surprising anyone.
Ferrari have almost always been a team that has a #1 driver and a distinctive #2 driver. The #2, while good, is always a supporting driver that is #2 in every sense of the word.
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A Kiwi living in the USA

[IMSA Racer]

Who do you folks think would be a likely driver to replace him, I'm not sure myself.

Thoughts????
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Ex IMSA Racer

[Karlos]

Senna.
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Red Bull - Gives you Championships.

[Anfield5]

Rosberg or Buemi
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Movable body panels - welcome to the Wacky Races

[solarflare]

I did find all the "Button to Ferrari in 2013" rumours interesting. I think there was a decent chance of Kubica going there at some point, although his unfortunate accident may well have put paid to that, at least in the near term.

But I wouldn't be surprised to see Perez turn up in the dutiful second seat, I think Ferrari have been grooming him a little bit like they did with Massa when he was at Sauber.
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Life is.....the gap between Formula 1 Grands Prix

[White Lightning]

I agree with Solarflare. They'll keep Massa next season and have Perez do loads of winter testing, slot him in in 2013.

[Karlos]

I only mentioned Bruno because I'd love to cut the "Senna to Ferrari" headline out of the paper and send it to Alain Prost.
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Red Bull - Gives you Championships.

[MatCoch]

Look at the top 3 teams, and give them all the same - theoretical - car. After 19 races who would be sixth in the drivers championship, and who third in the constructors?

Ferrari has options on Perez, but right now Sauber isn't aware of any further tests in the pipeline. There is, however, no 'formal' contract as there was with Massa when he was at Sauber. The Perez test was part of the Ferrari driver development program with Perez was part of, it's just been only recently that schedules have allowed him to test (hence he was surrounded with feeder category drivers on the day).

[Burton]

I never really rated Massa (though he became far better than what I'd ever imagined) but I want to hope the car is a pig and it's Alonso's superior skills flattering it, and that the boys at Maranello give Felipe a free pass.
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"One minute you're defending the whole galaxy, and, suddenly, you find yourself sucking down Darjeeling with... Marie Antoinette and her little sister."

[Podge 90]

From an outsiders point of view, to me Smedley and Massa have always seemed to have been left on the side to do their own thing at Ferrari (unless it affects Fernancy!). I have the utmost respect for Smedley, because if we're recognising this kind of dynamic within the team, then he sure as hell is as well, and yet he always seems to want the best for his driver.

To be honest, even in 2008, I wasn't that impressed with Massa's performance. There's some guys on the grid that can throw around any piece of sh-- car they have at their hands, but in 2008 Massa was like Barrichello in 2009; yes he won races, but, the car....

He can't be in the Ferrari seat much longer, the situation just reeks of 'you're a temporary solution' while they eye up other talent.

Slightly related, my predictions for the top three teams:
Alonso/Perez - Ferrari 2012-2015
Alonso/Kubica - Ferrari 2015-
Button/di Resta - McLaren by 2015
Vettel/Hamilton - Red Bull by 2015

[Abb0nz]

[Podge 90]

I think you just did

I think he'll be forever grateful to McLaren for all they've given him, and in return he gave them their first championship in a looooong time. The question is when does loyalty get in the way of wanting to achieve all he can in his career, and can he be blamed for wanting to fulfil his potential if he was ever to leave. I suppose you'd also have to ask how Red Bull want to run their team; two drivers who are gonna fight, or an Alonso/Massa situation (or even Vettel/Webber) and, I guess, how much of a say Vettel has in the second driver selection.

I can't see any reason why Red Bull would let up either, they are being completely relentless at the moment, and making everyone else look floundering and dumb.

[moonrover]

I have to disagree, I mean Massa before crash was a contender and potentially a winner. after that, he is ralfed a bit. though points are there but you know...