It's crunch time for Massa, says Andretti | FerrariChat
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It's crunch time for Massa, says Andretti

Discussion in 'F1' started by YellowbirdRS, Jun 6, 2007.

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  1. YellowbirdRS

    YellowbirdRS Formula 3

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    #1 YellowbirdRS, Jun 6, 2007
    Former Ferrari driver and world champion Mario Andretti reckons Felipe Massa will never have a better opportunity than this year to win the Formula 1 drivers’ title.

    Massa heads in to this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix five points adrift of McLaren duo Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in the championship table and has 10 points more than team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

    Andretti, who drove for Ferrari in 1971-72 and 1981, says it will be interesting to see whether the Brazilian can sustain his current level of form throughout the season, adding that it could well be a defining year in his career.

    "It'll be interesting to see whether Felipe Massa can become a reliable team leader at Ferrari,” he said in an interview on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website.

    “You often see drivers with a lot of talent, but without the mental strength to deal with it properly.

    “In the past we've sometimes seen him crumble, but maybe now he's gained enough confidence in himself that that will change.

    “A lot of that will have to do with the support he gets from the team – which I'm told is considerable.

    “The kid was always quick, but wild.

    “This is a critical point in his career – if ever he's dreamed of being world champion, he'll never have a better opportunity than now.

    “He threw away a couple of races at the beginning of the year, but then he won the third.”

    The American racing legend admits he has been surprised to see Massa outperform his new Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen for much of the season so far.

    However Andretti feels the Finn might have the edge in pressure situations later in the season.

    "I think Massa has had a leg up on Raikkonen – being at Ferrari before him, and having twice beaten Michael, let's remember,” Andretti said.

    “He knows the car, and he knows the people – he's part of the team. And I think Kimi, coming in, probably felt that.

    "I don't know Kimi that well, but I always think he looks somewhat…passive. I don't know if it's that way inside or not.

    “Maybe he doesn't have the team rallying around him as much as you might expect. I'm on the outside, looking in, and this is just conjecture, but I was sure that Kimi would immediately take charge, and it doesn't seem to be the case at the moment.

    “I'd imagine his character is stronger than Massa's, and I think that ultimately he might endure a high-pressure situation better. My feeling is that it will unfold that way, and it'll be interesting to see if it does."


    I believe Massa can do it.
    Forza Ferrari!
    Forza Massa!
    ehhh Forza Kimi!
     
  2. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 tifosi12, Jun 6, 2007
    I agree with all of Andretti's comments. Particularly the one that this year is Massa's only chance at the title. But don't worry, he'll blow it. :)
     
  3. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    #3 GTE, Jun 6, 2007
    1982. I believe he replaced Didier Pironi after his Hockenheim crash.
     
  4. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 tifosi12, Jun 6, 2007
    Correct.
     
  5. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

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    #5 SrfCity, Jun 6, 2007
    It seems like MA's assessment is pretty accurate. Let's see how things unfold.
     
  6. Senna1994

    Senna1994 F1 World Champ

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    #6 Senna1994, Jun 6, 2007
    +1
     
  7. Senna3xWC

    Senna3xWC F1 Rookie

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    #7 Senna3xWC, Jun 6, 2007
    +1
     
  8. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    #8 1_can_dream, Jun 6, 2007
    I think Andretti has hit the nail on the head. If Felipe can't do it this year then I don't think he'll have a chance again. Hamilton will no longer be a rookie, Kimi should be up to pace (crosses fingers) and Alonso will still be Alonso. So hopefully he can get it done and put his name in the record books.
     
  9. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 tifosi12, Jun 6, 2007
    Alongside such illustrous names as Damon Hill and Keke Rosberg. :)
     
  10. maxorido

    maxorido Formula 3

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    #10 maxorido, Jun 6, 2007
    A world champion is a world champion. Just because their skill might not be at the level of GV or MS, doesn't make them crap, not by a long shot. At the end of the day, "they got the job done".
     
  11. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 tifosi12, Jun 6, 2007
    Getting the job done isn't always the measure of all things. You mention GV yourself, Moss also comes to mind. Do I hold Hill higher than GV because he got a title? Hell no!
     
  12. YellowbirdRS

    YellowbirdRS Formula 3

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    #12 YellowbirdRS, Jun 6, 2007
    Yes he is right and you as well the only think here is that if Kimi doesn't clinch the WDC this year he never will get it. (Hamilton, Kubicca, Rosberg and all the new boys on the grid) Kimi is not a young driver this days.
     
  13. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

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    #13 SrfCity, Jun 6, 2007
    I have a feeling Massa is a survivor. I wouldn't rule that guy out if he doesn't make it happen this year. He seems to be getting progressively better.

    As Rory Burn said when I talked to him once, "he'll do fine."
     
  14. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

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    #14 RP, Jun 6, 2007

    I have heard all of this before, team support, knowing the car better, Kimi doesn't have the team supporting him, etc. All true.

    Oh, I remember, some of my previous posts that nobody believed. :}
     
  15. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

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    #15 RP, Jun 6, 2007
    Absolutely!
     
  16. yzee

    yzee F1 Veteran
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    #16 yzee, Jun 6, 2007
    If you read all of Mario's comments I think he reflects all of the feelings of past comments here.

    Massa has one chance, don't blow it.

    Kimi is still there and can respond to pressure better then Massa as the season progresses.

    What Mario dose not address is Hamilton.

    What we do have is a great F1 season with a better one to follow in 2008 with no TC.
     
  17. YellowbirdRS

    YellowbirdRS Formula 3

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    #17 YellowbirdRS, Jun 6, 2007
    I think Kimi is to close to finish his carer like a futuer champion and start to be in the R.Schumacher, Berger, Alesi, JP Montoya, Button, ..... step.
     
  18. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #18 Remy Zero, Jun 6, 2007
    i think Massa should try to meet up with Stallone aka Rocky Balboa, get the eye of the tiger motivation, and be a survivor, and he'll take this yr's WDC
     
  19. yzee

    yzee F1 Veteran
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    #19 yzee, Jun 6, 2007

    Load up on steriods?
     
  20. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #20 Remy Zero, Jun 6, 2007
    he used 'roids for rocky 3? i doubt. body seemed natural to me. maybe the latest instalment, there was some usage.
     
  21. maxorido

    maxorido Formula 3

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    #21 maxorido, Jun 6, 2007
    How the hell did the topic get on Rocky 3 and roids? Anyways he was caught bringing in human growth hormone in austraila earlier this year.
     
  22. Scuderia980

    Scuderia980 F1 Rookie

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    #22 Scuderia980, Jun 6, 2007
    whoah, caught with GH in Aus? waaaaay off topic now fellas...but PED's (of which there are tons of new kinds these days) is something i have to 'deal with' on a reg basis...just my 2 cents, err, it's not always possible to tell if someone is using PED's--simply by their appearance. actually, it's very difficult, requires up close inspection by 'expert' individuals, to make a guess based on visual cues... need blood and urine, sometimes both...
     
  23. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

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    #23 RP, Jun 6, 2007
    Blood and urine. Now that seems really off topic.
     
  24. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    #24 1_can_dream, Jun 6, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I think he'd have more luck with Joe Tanto...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  25. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #25 Remy Zero, Jun 6, 2007
    :D

    ye, i know ;)
     
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