Felipe Massa

Brilliant driver on his day but is he championship material?

In 2008 he proved he was but thats only one occassion, plus that season the Ferrari TBH was a bit quicker and won more races that season. In 2009 he nearly suffered a career ending head-injury and since coming to back to the grid he hasn't really shown that promise he did in 2008.

Don't get me wrong he's a driver i very much like, but i do wonder if he'll be a title challenger again for Ferrari season in season out or if he'll stay at Ferrari much longer?

Whats your thoughts on Massa?

 

[RasputinLives]

Well apart form one noticable acception in the shape of Lewis Hamilton they pretty much have!

The Trulli Train? Piquet Jr? Now Massa. It even took Grosjean 2 years to recover from a brief spell as it.

Next on the list Mark Webber?

 

[Il_leone]

RasputinLives
To answer your question about the last time Ferrari put a rookie in their car which escaped me until I read Autosport today

The legendary Gilles Villeneuve back in 1977

 

[teabagyokel]

Il_leone, I believe he made his debut for McLaren at the British Grand Prix of that year.

 

[Il_leone]

teabagyokel rookie in the sense of first season in F1 as RasputinLives meant I think otherwise that is the closest Ferrari have got to putting a "rookie" in their cars.

Luca obviously sees the success at Mclaren and Red Bull in putting a young developed driver in their car and it must be on his mind to do it at Ferrari

 

[Incubus]

Scarfiotti began his F1 career at Ferrari.

 

[Il_leone]

well done for going back that far !

 

[Incubus]

I think Ferrari actually ran some kind of young drivers' programme back in the sixties. Baghetti, Musso and Bandini were near-rookies when they first drove for the official team, I think?

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

I think Massa might go back to Sauber come the end of the season. I wouldn't be too surprised if Sergio Perez was to stay on and be his team-mate next season aswell.

 

[FB]

The speculation around Felipe's place at Ferrari and who might replace him now has its own thread.

http://cliptheapex.com/threads/who-might-replace-massa-and-where-might-he-go.4952/

 

[Brogan]

Massa's looking worse with every race.

His team mate is on the same number of points, 61, as the championship leader and in second place.
Massa has two points and is just ahead of the three back marker teams.

I can't see him in F1 next year.

 

[MCLS]

I'll be amazed if he makes it to the end of the season

 

[Greenlantern101]

I laughed a bit too loud when I saw this.
My money is on 'reverse' being the gear he will change to.

 

[Kewee]

Quite sad to read so many fans putting the boot in whens he's down. Sure he's struggling but he doesn't deserve that. He's been one of the gentleman of the sport which may well have been his downfall now he's up against Alonso. Most on this site will realize I'm a fan of Alonso but I'm also the first to admit he's ruthless in chasing his aims, something I think Massa is struggling with. One thing for sure, Monaco is a hell of a place for Ferrari to put him under even more pressure, I for one hope he can dig deep enough to shine. Regardless of the outcome for Massa he's achieved more in his life than most of us would manage in ten lifetimes, we should all remind ourselves of that.

 

[sportsman]

Appears that Ferrari has finally lost patience.From assuring everyone that Massa had their support it now seems that they are ready to take action sooner rather than later.
I have always been supportive of Massa as has Ferrari but he seems to have lost something for whatever reasons and I can't really attach any blame to Ferrari.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99622
Although Ferrari remains committed to Massa for now, AUTOSPORT understands that the outfit is now seriously evaluating options for the future - both short and long-term – if the situation does not change.
While Sauber driver Sergio Perez remains a prospect for the longer term, Ferrari is also understood to be evaluating Force India duo Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg as well as Lotus test driver Jerome d'Ambrosio.
Although the latter's inclusion as a candidate is a surprise, the Belgian does have the advantage of being available immediately, and would be happy to take a half-year deal which would allow Ferrari to spend longer thinking about its options for a new team-mate for Alonso in 2013.

 

[RasputinLives]

Jerome D'ambrosio in a Ferrari for the rest of the season? That would be an interesting prospect. I bet Eric Boullier is on the phone pushing that one.

If Ferrari are making these noises it does look like his time is up. I'd still be surprised at Ferrari kicking a driver out mid-season (the only time I can remember it happening before is when they sacked Prost with one race left) but it looks more and more likely.

 

[Greenlantern101]

He has never been the same since his accident. He is a pity drive. Looks like the pity has ran out along with Ferraris patience. Me I would of fired him 18 months ago, Ferrari have the patience of a saint. In my opinion its shocking he is still driving when there are so many talented drivers without a seat.

Yes he is a nice guy and a gent, but Ferrari need a fast driver not more mates.

 

[Kewee]

Greenlantern101.......Yes Ferrari are being, or have been very patient, but Massa very nearly gave his life as a Ferrari driver. I'm sure that's why they're going the extra mile for him. I can imagine the outcry if they had moved to replace him sooner. Probably those that are criticizing Massa now would have damned Ferrari as disloyal and unfeeling. There are no winners in this situation, not for Ferrari or Felipe. Very sad really.

 

[Slyboogy]

As a Massa fan, I don't know what to say anymore, he certainly improved in China and Bahrain this year, and was faster for most of the race than Alonso in Bahrain.

He was running well in Spain and was up there in the points until he got the drive through penalty, after that he was nowhere, someone did bring up an interesting point, Alonso is usually racing himself, so has clean air, while Massa is always fighting with somebody, and in this day in age with these tyres it hurts you a lot.

Other than that I can't say much, I do have snippet from Joe Sawards blog though:

Felipe Massa is feeling the same kind of thing. He does not seem able to get himself hooked up with the Pirelli tyres and he has taken a battering in the last three years from Fernando Alonso. Felipe must ask himself the same questions as every driver asks: is my team-mate a better driver than I am? How can I react to the situation and improve my performance?

I have been wondering for some time whether the two drivers are evenly matched in the Ferrari simulator, where the issue of tyres is virtual... According to the team analysis of Felipe's performance, he matches Alonso in lots of different respects, but loses out because of his inability to interact successfully with the tyres. Massa is a confident guy and very resilient, but one must also ask whether perhaps Fernando's dominance has influenced him. Every driver at some point in his career has to face up to the knowledge that there is someone faster than he is, even the greats face that (usually when their careers move into a downward glide, as age catches up with them). It is how they deal with that knowledge that is important. Some react positively and improve themselves and take up the challenge; some accept the reality and live with it and make the most of being "a good number two", some cannot handle it and their confidence is undermined and their careers fall apart as a result.

Just hope he puts in good performances, well been hoping that since the second half of 2010.

 

[Jos the Boss]

Don't worry it's all nice in Massa land!

Apparently Felipe Massa has signed a new 2 year contract. He is said to be delighted with his unlimited texts and calls deal....

 

[Lewywo4]

One thing for sure, Monaco is a hell of a place for Ferrari to put him under even more pressure, I for one hope he can dig deep enough to shine.

Monaco is daunting enough under normal circumstances for any driver, but the pressure on Felipe will be unbelievable, and his result may even be the determinng factor, of whether or not that he will be able to retain his seat at the Scuderia, for the rest of the seasons.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99622

Even though Felipe never considered Monaco to be one of his favorites, but he surely did shine during qualifying in 2008.