Brazilian Felipe Massa says he is not afraid of having Kimi Raikkonen as his teammate at the Ferrari team next season. Raikkonen is leaving McLaren to replace Michael Schumacher at the Italian squad following the German seven-time champion's retirement. The Finn is considered to be one of the main favourites for next year's championship following Ferrari's strong end to the 2006 season. The team continued showing impressive form when they dominated this week's first test of the off-season at the Barcelona circuit, where Massa was quickest on the opening two days. Raikkonen will not be allowed to test with Ferrari until next year. "It would have been better for Kimi to be here testing, but he's good enough to learn quickly," Massa told Gazzetta dello Sport. "He's strong, but I feel in a fine situation myself, ready to do the maximum: for sure I'm not afraid of him. "To know the people you work with is an advantage, but if you come over and manage to feel well and the car has no problems you can immediately have a good season. "Twelve months ago I had only a one-year contract, everyone was sure my presence would have ended quickly. On the contrary, I'm still here, I have a contract, I've won some races, and I'm more relaxed. And ready for the challenge." During 2006, Massa scored two wins, including one at his season-ending home race in Brazil, on his way to third place in the standings behind Schumacher. The Brazilian said he learned a lot from the German driver. "When you find yourself racing with someone like Michael, and sometimes you manage to stay in front, you can't avoid learning. He represented a very good teacher for me, it'll help me in the future," he added. * * * Carol Go Massa !!!
He is whistling to himself to find courage in a dark forest. I hope he hasn't forgotten the meaning of the #2 pit sign once the Scuderia hangs that out over the pitwall.
Regardless of the outcome, it will be good battle and add interest IMO -- I like them both and look forward to the competition.
Exactly! I'm still here, I have a contract, I'm not afraid. About mid Febuary Massa won't know weather to crap or wind his wristwatch. Kimi is where we wanted him. WDC 2007!
Ditto. Some people seem to forget that Massa was on a one year contract only and would have been tossed overboard if Michael had chosen to stay on. That shows what the Scuderia thinks of its driver. He is one notch up from Badoer, but that's about it. BTW: I like Massa and wish him well in his endeavour to support Kimi. Hopefully he'll learn a few tricks. Like stay on the road when it rains.
Massa has driven alongside Michael who is the best driver in 2006 IMO. Against Michael he did as well as Barrichello in thhis first year - Massa has shown occasionally superior turn of speed but hasn't got the year round speed and commitment to be a title contender. But I must say that Massa in the latter half of the season was a far better driver than in the first half. Shows that he is a good learner and is constantly improving. Kimi is perhaps the fastest guy in the field but hasn't the determination, intelligence or dedication like Michael. I would say that Kimi will dominate but it wont be by much. Also kimi might take some time to settle into the team. Anyway - Kimi 2007 WDC - the poor guy should have been a 2X champ by now if he had the right sort of luck.
+1, exactly, if Michael had wanted to stay, Massa would have been gone as quickly as a fart in the wind. Kimi will clean his clock like no tomorrow in qualifying.
That's not a trick, it's a skill. He needs to improve his entire skill set in order to keep up with KR.
Hope? Massa will quickly find out that when his universe implodes, four things will remain: 1. Me 2. Lingering hatred 3. The cockroaches 4 Felipe Massa trying to pass the cockroaches
Yes of course. A skill fins learn early on skidding through icy roads. Or in other words that boat has long sailed for Massa.
Hope is for pansies and people named Massa. The good news is Massa doesn't drive fast enough to seperate himself from the rest of the world in terms of time, so he won't prolong his useless life span at all, which is very good news. Also why would you wait until December to show me I was wrong? Be a good internet author and ram that info down my throat ASAP! Best of luck to Massa and the rest of the number two drivers out there. Here's to "hoping" for a tight set of championships and great racing in '07.
If Kimi does not destroy Massa, then Ferrari have a driver pairing as bad as Berger and Alesi again and it's the start of the slippery slope! And also my wife will be right again as she does not understand what I see in Kimi ... Kimi DOES need to be motivated again, so I really hope the Ferrari is good enough to do that, as the McLaren piece of **** wasn't good enough for road fill! Pete
I think Massa and Raikkonen will be a very good team for Ferrari, both very fast and skilled. The obvious rival is Mclaren, but as far as I know, they have one very fast driver. Should be interesting.
i think Massa's receiving lots of harsh words from some people on the board. don't forget, he won twice last season. i think he deserves a little bit more credit.
