http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66073 Ferrari apparently isn't too concerned about Massa's form, and why should they be, Massa hasn't scored any points even though he has the best car.
Shortly before declaring bankruptcy a few weeks back, one of the biggest vendors in my marketplace was frantically putting out press releases to dispel rumors that things weren't going well. They portrayed their shutting down of the facility as a 'production hold to reduce inventory levels and ensure market demand remains high'. Even when their assets were listed on an auction site they still maintained things were good and they were just moving some 'excess inventory'. The phrase "thou doth protest too much!" comes to mind. IMO, the very fact that Ferrari feels the need to comment on the matter speaks volumes. How many other teams have had to put out a statement regarding their confidence in their driver?
And you know what? I for one did not expect for one second that the big skyhook would pick up Massa and set him back on the track...nobody likes the Brazilian that well as I take it. I have to agree about the press conference - a little too much like Kenneth Lay at Enron IMHO. But, it may have been PR designed to shore up Massa himself while they are trying to get him back up to par.
They are just saying they have pin-pointed the exact moment Massa caused his car to spin. Haha. Even more depressing.
Reminds me of what Bear Stearns CEO Schwartz wrote in a release a couple of weeks ago: "...the firm's "balance sheet, liquidity, and capital remain strong."
I am always glad to see loyalty between teams and drivers, but I seriously do not think Massa has what it takes. I think it will be wise for Ferrari to replace him at the end of this season.
He spoke on the firm's solvency last Wednesday. On Friday they received an emergency bailout from the Fed, by Saturday, the firm was being bought out. I believe a Ferrari press release as much as I believe one from Roger Clemens claiming innocense from steroid abuse. Of course they are going to claim they support Massa...right up to the point when he gets fired. The fact that they issued a statement at all strongly suggests that there is something going on. I would not be surprised to see him swapped for Vettel next week. Or Maybe Alonso's lawyers are already at work? Either way, I seriously doubt Massa sees out the season. Good riddance.
Didn't STR release a similar statement just before they fired Scott Speed? At least Scott was slightly outperforming his teammate when he was canned.
I found that very interesting as well. Massa was in the same situation as Lewis at the Nürburgring - stuck in gravel, but engine still running, with lifting him back on the track as the quickest way to get him out of the dangerous zone. According to the logic of those who claim lifting Lewis back was valid and fair, Massa should have been treated equally...
I say damage control. What are they going to do? Openly bash their driver after the second race? The only thing they CAN do is support him, they don't have a choice.
exactly. not to mention massa's already proven he can win races. he just needs to relax and drive the damn car.
Could be damage control, I would be guessing to say either way. As I said in another post, in politics it is usually better to address an issue before the rumors do more damage than reality. It is just as likely this statement by Domenicali was a public vote of confidence.
Ron has been around the sport a long time and is among the more well-informed contributors on the site...which makes me believe that he spouts some of his inanities about Massa simply to stir up the pot. No one with his experience could possibly believe some of the things he says...
Maybe Phil needs to "spend more time with my family" and "pursue some personal interests that I haven't had time for"........... Jack.
The mere fact that Ferrari points out that there is no problem with Massa is indicative enough that there is a problem. It is Formula 1, the sport of the spin meisters, hello!
