ROSSI IN PLACE OF MASSA...THE PLOT THICKENS

Recent press releases from Ferrari are beginning to paint a rather perplexing picture. It seems VR is turning in some quick lap times, almost as good as Kimi's under similar conditions. Strangely, Ferrari don't seem to be very quick to publish Massa's times.... I realise this is going to be controversial, but I think that Ferrari are quite worried about Massa's ability to return to top form. Although I am a big fan of Massa's, I suspect that his day is done (and will be very happy if i'm proved wrong). Ferrari will give Massa several races to come back up to speed. If he does not seem able, I think Ferrari will quickly put Rossi in the car to enable him to use the rest of the season to gain experience. For 2011, Alonso/Rossi would make it a marketers dream.

 

That injury must have been hell, wouldn't blame him.

 

can you post the times?

 

Yeah... no.

Being a fan of the Grand Prix film character Nino Barlini and real-life Bike-To-F1 stars John Surtees and Mike Hailwood, I will admit the idea has a certain awesomeness about it. That said, it has a likelyhood of happening about the same as that of waking up tomorrow to find you're on the cover of People Magazine with Angelina Jolie under the headline "Forget Brad, Angie's gambling on Casino Square!"

 

He was driving a GP2 car for Pete's sake. Totally different from F1. Ask anyone, the last two seconds per lap are a bear to make up. Two wheels vs four wheels, different worlds. G forces alone are vastly different. By definition GP bikes G forces are always through the center of the rider, otherwise he would crash. Not so in F1. A "high side" is G going where the rider doesn't want to go. Just saying.

 

IMHO I just don't see it happening (Rossi joining F1) as he has much (but realistically attainable) to accomplish in MotoGP. As for how Rossi would do in F1, until he had completed at least a full season, it is all speculation.

 

Rossi is awesome..., but I don't think they'd throw him in this late in the game. Although they did think fisi was a good idea...


My bets are on Massa and Alonso keeping pace but not taking any championships. Maybe next year. One could wonder if Massa can't get back in the groove after a few rounds, but I think he will.

As talented as Rossi is why bring him on? 2010 IMO is going to be down to the wire and the greatest season in recent years. To throw another variable in doesn't make sense. I would love to see him in a Ferrari seat but I don't think it will happen.

 

Stop waisting our time with this drivel.

I've got more important things to waste my time with.

 

Can anyone tell me how would Rossi obtain the Superlicence necessary to enter F1, when he had hardly any participation in circuit racing?

Some GP2 drivers can't get it!!

 

Bernie would make the superlicense was not an issue.

 

+1, and if Ferrari thinks this year's car will not be competitive (or Massa isn't able to return to 100%), why not salvage the year with a giant media circus?

 

He was driving the F2008 car on GP2 tires. And he was off the record pace by .3s. On the face of it that's quite good, however it's incomparable to record times since the tires were different (and of course it is very difficult to compare lap times from different days, much less different years).

 

yes, seems near impossible to me.

 

Massa's times weren't published as he was using street-show spec tires due to ban of testing. Rossi was given opportunity to ride the car as di Montezemolo promised it to him after winning seventh world champ title. nothing extraordinary here

 

Mercedes seem to have a clear back up plan with Heidfeld if MS stumbles. It would only make sense that F do too as FM has to be somewhat questionable for live racing at it is yet to happen? They don't want to be left flat footed for another year. Not saying that Rossi is the back up but they must have something in mind, you'd think? Time will reveal.

 

Not to single you out or put words in your mouth, but whenever somebody suggests that two wheel drivers can't succeed on four wheels, I have to bring up Tazio Nuvolari. One of the greatest race car drivers to ever exist. Also an exceptional motorcycle racer (which is how he got his start).

Different era but the dynamic differences between two and four wheels have always been the same.

 

hope Rossi comes soon to Ferrari!

 

are you? he obviously meant no formula car road racing experience. isn't that a requirement for a super license?

 

Today, the bar is so high in almost every sporting arena - particularly something like F1 - that pure talent is not going to be enough. Sure, if VR had spent his life aspiring and immersed in F1, he may have been the best yet. But he didn't, and there are others with equal talent who have.

 

Massa replaced by Rossi?
Don't get my hopes up!

But in all seriousness, Rossi will never drive for Ferrari. His times are not good enough. This is nothing but a PR stunt to keep the doting Rossi fans happy.
If Massa no longer has it (which I doubt), they will simply put Fisichella in that seat. That's what he is here for.

 

If this is true (which I doubt) may Ferrari be thinking "we've got rid of the wrong driver"?

 

Yes.

 

The thing that is over looked is the time that it is being compared for from Kimi was set on a race fuel load as well. The only times that might be comparable would be Massa the next day [same car, same tires] but not surprising there were no times released.

 

That's a fact. They're indulging VR, which is fine.

 

I thought so.