Well this should keep us busy until the first practice in China. Let's try and keep it civil! Personally I hope it happens. (taken from a different forum) (SEPANG) Good morning to all. I promised last Friday to write about the news issued by Auto Hebdo that Robert Kubica would replace Felipe Massa in 2011. When I said I was going to write an article about the subject, it was only to try and separate the made up news to that which has a bottom of truth. The story was clearly baseless. There are situations in F1 which can be confirmed in the future, but it is a duty of those who follow F1 in-loco to try and translate the reality. The Alonso-to-Ferrari case is emblematic. It was talked about for 5 years, but only in September 2009 pen was put the paper and a contract was sign. To write thos article with more creibility, I listened to all parts concerned which are involved: Ferrari, Massa, Kubica... This is the current status: Massa and Ferrari are close to renew his contract. Many contract details would already be set. And more: it´s not a one year renewal. The Brazilian would stay in Maranello for 2 or 3 further seasons. The story is slowly becoming public. Last weekend, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali conceded an interview to the competent German newspaper Die Weld in which he said talks have already began. The dialogue is advanced and Ferrari and Massa could soon seal the deal. Source: http://blogs.jovempan.uol.com.br/f1/chamadas/massa-e-ferrari-proximos-de-renovacao/
Why would they want to renew Massa's contract, according to many on here he's an absolutely terrible driver.
I don't think anyone thinks that - it's pretty widely known he is an excellent #2 driver. He is a great wingman for a #1 driver like Alonso or Vettel or Hamilton. I am not sure a better #2 exists.
Sure, lets put Karun Chandok in. Why not? Or bring Bourdais in at the Scuderia. As long as it aint Massa. Come on Andreas, this is getting ridiculous. Massa is not that much slower than Alonso and at least as point-effective. If a Formula 1 team only could have one driver, surely they would choose Alonso, but since they need to fill two seats and Hamilton and Vettel are already taken, Massa is a sensible choice and you know it.
Not disagreeing. He is a good #2 and I would understand why they would extend his contract. I'm merely stating my personal opinion. I can't stand him and don't want to see him in the cockpit. You know what they say about opinions... There are many folks on here who feel exactly the same way about Alonso: They know he is good, but they don't want him in a Ferrari because they don't like him.
So, what's your problem with Massa? I think he is a very good Ferrari driver, dedicated, serious and an asset to the team. As a team driver, I rate him higher than Irvine or Barichello, and he showed more commitment than Raikonen. Raikonen was a huge disappointment to me as a Ferrari driver. His best years were at McLaren. He was completely despirited at the Prancing Horse and showed contempt to the teams' followers, beside his lack of result. I hope that Alonso wil prove to be better, but I am not convinced. I rate Alonso as another Fangio: egocentric and unable to show loyalty in difficult times, and ready to change team to suit his career more than to sail throught hard times. It isn't all about speed, but how a driver can integrate in the Italian team and play his part as a Ferrari driver and not become a prima dona
I simply don't like him: No charisma and the personality of a cheer leader. Nothing cool about him. Not a playboy like Irvine, not a computer like Lauda, not a proud Spaniard like a Alonso. Just this "5 year old" jumping up and down on the podium when he wins.
Consider, Ferrari had the perfect opportunity to replace Massa after his accident without looking like ungrateful parents. They did not. Tried to bring in Schumacher, finally Giancarlo as temps. Why? Massa in MORE than just liked by the people at Ferrari that make the decisions, and now after his accident, he is doing as well as his teammate. There is no #1 driver at Ferrari, that decision is not made until Monza. Massa continues to prove himself at every race. I have no idea why anyone that does not know Massa personally would not like him. Ridicuous. He as close to a team player in F1 as anyone in the last 25 years. He helped his teammate win the last WDC won by a Ferrari driver. His own team errors cost him the WDC according to Domenicali and LDM. So any rumor that Massa will be replaced is just the typical BS hype that follows F1. Except for the fact that it is known that Massa has been approached by at least two other teams. Then they may have to replace him when he gets offered 3Xs more than he gets paid now.
"JB and Felipe are the less fancied duo at their respective teams, but they're both looking decidedly chilled".
There is a world of difference between how Schumacher behaved on the podium compared to Massa: Michael did his patented jump. Grow old after a while, but it was his style. He handles himself graceful on the podium, smiles, waves, a true champion. I dont like many things about MS, and he is often an arrogant SOB, but he gets away with it because he belongs to the elite of F1, the multiple WDCs. A world Massa can only dream of.
Looks to me like you are watching F1 the wrong reasons!! What means 'cool' ? I never understood that expression. As for Irvine, I believe that his 'playboy' lifestyle cost his lack of success on the track. I saw once an interview of his sister (his manager by the way), and she said as much. Irvine probably torpedoed his career by his lack of commitment and his other distractions. Irvine couldn't bee 'arsed' to do anything and in the end his phone stopped ringing I have read many articles about Fangio, which many journalists accused of having no personality in his time, and one even accusing him of never looking anyone in the eyes, known for his mono-syllabic answers and shunning media attention. But, under that reserved facade, Fangio proved to be a very determined racer. In the end, it's the results that count, not the subjective appreciation we make.
I'm glad you are here to correct that aberrant behavior. That might have been true to Fangio's time, but today's drivers get a lot of their paycheck from sponsors and for sponsors the perceived image is everything. If a driver is not cool, it is hard to sell him to the fans even if he has a good track record.
I don't run a chat forum. If I were in charge of Ferrari, I would extend the Massa contract. I can separate personal feelings from business. My "anybody but Massa" comment was spoken as a fan, not as a team principal. Quite frankly what does it matter whether I like Massa or not. Most people adore the guy. I don't. So what.
I don't know what it is about Massa, but I absolutely love the guy. I hated him in 2007 for some reason, but he has shown such character and commitment, not to mention results, that I really respect him. I think he's perfect for Ferrari, and I really hope they extend his contract for a handful more years.
In America, we went from cat's meow to swell to hip to cool. I don't understand why people from England don't speak English.
It's particularly strange since the Brits have so many cool drivers: Mansell, Irvine, Button, Hamilton. Heck I even liked DC. Hill was about the only recent British driver who lacked coolness.
Anyone let Kubica know that "his" seat for next season is no longer available? Sorry that was rumor of the week last week.
I get the sense that Massa supporters just fundamentally feel sorry for him. He's like the Ferrari altar boy that was for years molested by Schumacher, the former Priest of Scuderia. Sorry and grateful that, unlike the former altar boy Barrichello, Massa did not press any charges against the church of Enzo.
