Felipe Massa, In or Out?

Malt_Vinegar said:
I can't see Ferarri being in with a shout of the constructors this year with Massa "backing up" Alonso, so basically, it is better to dump him asap. Then let the new guy (Perez..) get a load of running done before the start of the new season.
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Couldn't agree more, a tight season, they need every single point for both championships. massa isn't taken any points away from the top runners.
Would be far better to pay huge amounts and let the new driver, who ever it is. Get settled in the team.
 
4T5 said:

I think he's on his way out but he'll never be forgot.
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LOL

Malt_Vinegar said:
I think changing Massa mid-season is a good gamble to take. At least then they have the option of dumping him out at the end of the year (or before even!) if he is not working well, to bring in someone like Webber..
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Thing is, Massa is doing do bad at the moment that replacing him isn't really a gamble. Any replacement physically can't do any worse!
 
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NathanE said:
He became a father as well don't forget.
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I think this also had an effect.
I personally, do not believe that the accident had any bearing.
It doesnt help that Alonso is now at the peak of his powers and is making Massa look worse than he really is.

I'd like to see Perez at Ferrari, if only to see how good Alonso really is and if Alonso is capable of killing Perez's career as well (destroying team-mates' careers is what MSc used to do when he was top dog)...especially after Perez has now developed a good reputation.

Where is the Mr Men?
 
Perez said even if a move offer came up in 2012 he would reject it.

http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2012/5/13375.html
Q: The rumours about you switching to Ferrari mid season continue, especially after the Italian team’s increasingly public comments on Felipe Massa’s lack of performance. Is there any change from your side in this whole discussion?
SP: No, not at all. And should that situation really come about I would reject it as I would not want to make a switch in the middle of a season. I think all this hype about a possible switch is massively blown up by the media.

Q: But the saying also goes that where there is smoke there must also be fire…
SP: Rumours - nothing more. I believe that Felipe will bounce back and do a good job. He is a strong driver and he has a great team behind him. Once he’s bounced back all these stories will die at once.

Q: Sauber CEO Monisha Kaltenborn said not so long ago that you will stay where you are for the duration of your contract. On the other hand, the wishes of a team’s engine supplier are hard to ignore. Have there been internal discussions at Sauber?
SP: I think that people should not mix up engines and drivers. These sort of rumours have been around for quite a while and, of course, I have a connection to Ferrari, to their driver academy of Ferrari. But my position is clear: I am driving for Sauber and I will remain here.

Q: There is supposedly no such thing as a watertight driver contract in Formula One, but could it be that you feel you could lose more than you might gain were you to make a switch now?
SP: Exactly. And as I just said, I started the season with Sauber and will finish my season with Sauber - giving my 100 percent to my team.
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of course he's going to say that. You think peter Sauber would be happy if one of his drivers openly said 'you're not good enough, I want to leave'?
 
So, assuming for a second we believe what Perez said there (which I don't) who would be the alternative?

Alguersuari and Sutil are the only available drivers with experience of current F1 cars AFAIK. Failing that... Kovalainen? It'd be good for him, but he seems like too nice a guy to dump Caterham in it.
 
MissChief said:
of course he's going to say that. You think peter Sauber would be happy if one of his drivers openly said 'you're not good enough, I want to leave'?
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A) I'm posting a related news article, didn't realise I posted an opinion.
B) it's says that in the questions.
 
Spunkey said:
So, assuming for a second we believe what Perez said there (which I don't) who would be the alternative?

Alguersuari and Sutil are the only available drivers with experience of current F1 cars AFAIK. Failing that... Kovalainen? It'd be good for him, but he seems like too nice a guy to dump Caterham in it.
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All drivers are an option ;) Depends who Alonso wants.
 
They have to end it with Massa either mid season or at very least the end of the year, you can hear the frustration in Rob Smedley over the radio that it's just not working any more. Sad but results are key in any sport.


Spunkey said:
Ferrari hasn't worked like that since 1995.
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Best year of Ferrari of ALL TIME!

Spunkey said:
Alguersuari and Sutil are the only available drivers with experience of current F1 cars AFAIK. Failing that... Kovalainen? It'd be good for him, but he seems like too nice a guy to dump Caterham in it.
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Could chuck everyone who's been dumped from F1 for the last couple of years, well Buemi at least.

Don't Ferrari have some sort of young driver programme with Ricciardo equivalents getting decent drives in lower formula's that could have a bash at it too??
 
NathanE said:
He became a father as well don't forget.
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It's well documented from other drivers that once they have kids things change for them, for mass I really think it's this plus the accident and the fact that Alfonso joined Ferrari and has all the help to win... since he joined Massa has been forced to has sloppy seconds in every sense, the car would be geared towards Alfonso and Massa simply can't adapt, that and a family is enough for drivers to sit back and rethink.

Shame really Massa as always played second fiddle even though once upon a time he was very capable of winning
 
Problem Ferrari have, is that whoever they pick, not only needs to be able to perform well enough, but also needs to be able to play second fiddle to fred, and we know how he can be when he doesn't like his wheaties..
 
pingwing said:
Could chuck everyone who's been dumped from F1 for the last couple of years, well Buemi at least.
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Buemi is under contract as the RBR reserve driver.

It's much more likely that Alguersuari will get the nod if Massa goes. He's Alonso's compatriot, has experience, and Pirelli test driver has historically been a sabbatical position. Yes, Perez could swap after all, but drivers who switch mid-season don't get a chance to practice with their new car. Perez will score more points and podiums staying at Sauber, and he knows it.
 
I couldn't see Alguersuari doing any better than Massa. It would need to be someone like Webber, Perez, Di Resta, etc imo.
 
Duke said:
I couldn't see Alguersuari doing any better than Massa. It would need to be someone like Webber, Perez, Di Resta, etc imo.
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If Ferrari want to win again they need a decent second fiddle again to propel Alfonso to the top, they have done this for years.

Massa unfortunately is finished, the accident, family and being content have all played a part in his struggling, Ferrari just need a new Massa, Rudens was the same...

Webber could fit the bill, but he´s leaving after next year ? wouldn´t be worth the move if he is.
 
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