Felipe Massa

[Tazio]

Ferrari is set to announce that Felipe Massa is staying with the famous Italian team in 2013.

Intense speculation has surrounded the future of the Brazilian, who since 2010 has struggled to shine alongside his highly rated teammate Fernando Alonso.

But in an article by veteran correspondent Roger Benoit, the Swiss newspaper Blick said the 31-year-old is staying put in the wake of his recent form surge.Still just a rumor, although FM has upped his game a little recently.

[N. Jones]

I still think he will get the boot and be saved by the welcoming arms of Peter Sauber. It may be what he needs to return to form.

[ArrowsFA1]

Recent form surge? His most recent results have been 9th, 5th, 4th & 8th. Admittedly that's an improvement on the previous four races (10th, 16th, 4th & 12th) but we're talking about an improvement from poor to slightly better.

[N4D13]

That's still quite worse than Alonso. Yes, it's not like beating Alonso on a regular basis is easy, but you'd have expected him to do better at least once. Barring the Italian GP qualifying and the Belgian GP, I think that he hasn't been faster than his teammate at any qualifying session or race. That's quite a lot to say...

[Knock-on]

So, he's slow all weekend until he gets a puncture and a bit of fire in his belly. Then he gets a bit of pace, does some dodgy overtaking and benefits from a couple of SC to get low points.

We know he has pace it's just that we only ever see it when he's wound up or threatened with the sack.

Not good enough.

[kfzmeister]

So, he's slow all weekend until he gets a puncture and a bit of fire in his belly. Then he gets a bit of pace, does some dodgy overtaking and benefits from a couple of SC to get low points.

We know he has pace it's just that we only ever see it when he's wound up or threatened with the sack.

Not good enough.

Anytime you come through the field from last to 8th, it's quite an accomplishment. He could be a great #2 driver. I think it's just taken him three years to come to terms with it....

[Knock-on]

I have never been one to say he doesn't have the talent. That's what's so bloody annoying. I would prefer a driver with less talent but who gives it all than someone that's just given up until he's back is against the wall.

It's just a waste and if it's taken him 3 years to understand what the rest of us knew the second Alonso stepped into the Ferrari, then more fool him.

Get the hell out of there and secure an honest drive where he can prove himself but stop moping around like a sad sack. If I was him, I would have been knocking on Peters door 3 years ago.

[steveaki13]

I have never been one to say he doesn't have the talent. That's what's so bloody annoying. I would prefer a driver with less talent but who gives it all than someone that's just given up until he's back is against the wall.

It's just a waste and if it's taken him 3 years to understand what the rest of us knew the second Alonso stepped into the Ferrari, then more fool him.

Get the hell out of there and secure an honest drive where he can prove himself but stop moping around like a sad sack. If I was him, I would have been knocking on Peters door 3 years ago.

I tend to agree

He has been no real help to himself or Ferrari the last couple of years. Look how far Ferrari are behind in the constructors.

He should have either moved after 2010 and got a drive elsewhere or been a determined number 2 who backed up Alonso.

Hard to do I know, but Ferrari look at Fernando this year and they must wish there second driver was having a decent season, beacuse they could challenge for the constructors, but as it is they are a one title team.

[kfzmeister]

Schumacher to replace Massa for a year? JK. Who would do better, though??

[pino]

MS will never return to Ferrari and at the moment Massa has 80 % chances of keeping his seat...mark my words ;)

[Mia 01]

Felipe is just as good as driver such Di Resta, Chico and Hulk.

Remember the latter part of 2009.

[pino]

Ferrari is waiting for Vettel that's why they will probably stick with Massa for another year ;)

[Mia 01]

I hate to break it to you, but he sat out the period you are talking about so hardly proved his worth then :p

That´s what I mean. Think a bit further please.

[Tazio]

Felipe is just as good as Chico.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYxgjJK7kD0&feature=relmfu

[fandango]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYxgjJK7kD0&feature=relmfu

And the most important thing? Surrounded by the ladies...

[kfzmeister]

Ferrari is waiting for Vettel that's why they will probably stick with Massa for another year ;)

Why would they wait for Vettel? He's not the complete package. :D

[F1boat]

Why would they wait for Vettel? He's not the complete package. :D

With him and Alonso the Scuderia may dominate again...

[steveaki13]

Alonso may leave if Vettel arrives. Remember he wasn't happy being challenged at Renault (Which didnt happen much) and Mclaren where Lewis all but beat him.

Not sure I can see Alonso happy for long with Vettel there, even if he beats Seb he wont have a number 2

[kfzmeister]

Alonso may leave if Vettel arrives. Remember he wasn't happy being challenged at Renault (Which didnt happen much) and Mclaren where Lewis all but beat him.

Not sure I can see Alonso happy for long with Vettel there, even if he beats Seb he wont have a number 2

Don't forget his teammate contract clause. Vettel will never drive there as long as Zo's the Alphadog. :)

[geilux]

Podium at Susuka. Time to retire now .....

[Mark]

We'll never see Alonso and Vettel in the same team.

[Malbec]

We'll never see Alonso and Vettel in the same team.

I'm not sure, Ferrari's behaviour this season regarding Massa and/or his replacement would suggest that they are expecting a long term driver in the second seat from 2014. Vettel's name would fit the bill best or maybe its Jenson ;)

[Mia 01]

Congrat Felipe, you where faster yesterday than Alonso. And today, a solid drive.

[Dave B]

And today too!

Fast enough to secure his seat, apparently:
Felipe Massa secures Ferrari future, deal imminent - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103449)

[donKey jote]

Yep. It's almost as if finally knowing Pérez is out of the way has given him new wings ! :)

[Ranger]

Yep. It's almost as if finally knowing Pérez is out of the way has given him new wings ! :)

New wings indeed... now he even has to be told to stay behind Fernando.

Too harsh?

[steveaki13]

Great news for Felipe. deserved on the last 4 or 5 races, however he needs to repay this now, by not starting next season like this year and being mid pack.

Come on Felipe Baby

[longisland]

Not for those who wanted Jenson to support Lewis' WDC challenge.

[yodasarmpit]

Poor move by Ferrari, if it takes the thread of the sack for a driver to perform then someone else should be in the seat.
Although, if all they want is a support driver for Alonso then they have what thy want.

[truefan72]

we will go through this again next year, for 75% of the season massa will be a dude then he will face a certain firing then he will perform again

[donKey jote]

Although, if all they want is a support driver for Alonso then they at last, in these last two races, have what thy want.
fixed :andrea: :p

[Knock-on]

Im afraid Yoda and True have been hitting that nail on the head again.

Poor Massa doesn´t have any fight in him any more. It´s literally the threat of losing his seat that propells him into action where he pulls out these good performances year after year. He no longer dreams of winning a Title but just of having a drive.

Next year, it will be the same lacklustre performance for the first half of the season before the Rabbit in the Headlights performance and a spurt of speed.

[dj_bytedisaster]

To me it looks as if he never recovered from losing the 2008 title in the last corners of the last lap. That one send him tumbling and the horrible accident at Hungary knocked him out for good, I think.

[driveace]

Well now confirmed that Massa and Ferrari have just signed a ONE year deal for 2013.So will Vettel replace him in 2014 ?

[Rollo]

Felipe Massa will stay at Ferrari for the 2013 season after signing a one-year extension to his current contract.
However, it is only thought to be a stop-gap deal before the expected arrival of Sebastian Vettel in 2014.
- from the BBC, 16 October 2012
BBC Sport - Felipe Massa signs one-year contract extension with Ferrari (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19962209)

No Koba at Ferrari then... F1 could have been a lot more fun next year :(

[Mark]

Pino was right again!

[DexDexter]

Good for Massa but Ferrari can kiss the World Constructrors' championship goodbye for next year as well.

[keysersoze]

Good for Massa but Ferrari can kiss the World Constructrors' championship goodbye for next year as well.

Ferrari have never been too chuffed about winning Constructors' Championship. To them, it's primarily about the WDC.

Which is hard to understand, since we are made to believe that drivers drive for Ferrari first, and themselves second.

[Tazio]

Good for Massa but Ferrari can kiss the World Constructrors' championship goodbye for next year as well.I respectively disagree. Ferrari will back their best driver and if Massa starts off like a ball of fire next year he will be given an equal chance at the WDC. I've always thought that that FM has as much raw speed as anyone in F1. Take it from someone who had a similar injury as Felipe (only much worse), it takes time to get it behind you. IMO a prudent move by Ferrari that will pay dividends if FM is over the psychological affect of his head injury. As for teaming with Fred, all he has to do is out qualify him and it's game on! I see FM having a very good season next year JMHO

[Tazio]

^^^Whoops I meant respectfully :rolleyes:

[mstillhere]

I respectively disagree. Ferrari will back their best driver and if Massa starts off like a ball of fire next year he will be given an equal chance at the WDC. I've always thought that that FM has as much raw speed as anyone in F1. Take it from someone who had a similar injury as Felipe (only much worse), it takes time to get it behind you. IMO a prudent move by Ferrari that will pay dividends if FM is over the psychological affect of his head injury. As for teaming with Fred, all he has to do is out qualify him and it's game on! I see FM having a very good season next year JMHO

You know only Massa can screw this up. He usually blames the world and the universe for his shortcomings. But this is it. Ferrari showed him they still have faith in him. I personally beleive he is going to do the same old same old. Obvioulsy I whish him the best since it would be his last year at Ferrrari. It would be in his interested to be remembered for his accomplishments and not his failures.

[Bagwan]

According to the Horse whisperer site , the form Felipe has recently shown is down to the ddrs , a part that hasn't shown up on Fernando's car yet .
Distrust in thier own wind tunnel data had them , apparently , take it to the Toyota tunnel in Germany , where they found answers they liked .
Felipe , as guinnea pig , tested the parts , and they will now give them to Alonso .

If mid-field Mousa can make it go fast , then this championship aint over .

Fernando will fly past Felipe , and show the Bulls what a flying horse can do , without it's wings clipped by dud tunnel data .

[Mia 01]

The Horse whisperer is another form of tweets, I compare it to the aftermath of Spa this year (LH tweets). It´s sad really.

[Tazio]

The Horse whisperer is another form of tweets, I compare it to the aftermath of Spa this year (LH tweets). It´s sad really.The story came from "20 minutos" not a source I would take at their word ;)

[steveaki13]

I had an evil thought today.

Heard the team radio in FP2, when Felipe said on radio. "I am really struggling, the car has a strange balance"

I thought at that moment, maybe the strange balance making the car slow is called a new contract in his pocket.

[F1boat]

To me it looks as if he never recovered from losing the 2008 title in the last corners of the last lap. That one send him tumbling and the horrible accident at Hungary knocked him out for good, I think.

I don't think so, until his accident in Hungary he was driving fine, but the Ferrari was a turd in 2009.

[jens]

I have to say that the contract extension of Massa has been the most disappointing news to me in this silly season. Yes, he has looked better and even sort of "okay" in the second half of the season. Even had a couple of great races, which reminded me the Felipe from his prime (2008). But he still doesn't have the consistency. And he has been given so many opportunities already that I don't think he is going to (re)gain it.

I can give a benefit of doubt if a driver underperforms for one year. Even two. But three is too much, especially as we are talking about a seat in a top team. F1 as a sport is so competitive with the need to deliver consistently that I am stunned, how someone can keep basically a top drive, while having been underwhelming for the majority of three years. I can't really remember a driver like that from the past. Even Fisichella was sent away from Renault after three years.

It looks like Ferrari really values the aspect of "family" much. Domenicali, Montezemolo, Alonso are all great friends with Massa by the looks of it and as long as he manages performances, which are not too embarrasing, they are fine in sticking with him.