As we have speculated earlier, it looks very likely to be a straight seat swap w/Massa and Kubica switching seats... Frank _________________________________________________________________________ from Crash.net Massa's manager opens talks with Renault Wed, 26 May 16:30:28 2010 Buzz Up! Felipe Massas manager Nicolas Todt has initiated talks with both the Brazilians present employer Ferrari as well as Renault regarding next year, as the 2008 F1 World Championship runner-ups position at the Prancing Horse appears to be ever-more tenuous. Massa has been a Ferrari driver on-and-off since 2003, and has competed for the Scuderia on a full-time basis since the beginning of 2006. During that time, the Paulista has defied his detractors by proving capable of holding his own against the likes of world champions Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen, but the title-winner over in the other side of the garage to him this year could just be one too many, it seems. Massa and Fernando Alonso have not had the easiest of relationships ever since the former accused the latters fixed Singapore victory of two years ago of having cost him that seasons drivers crown and tensions heightened after the Spaniard brusquely and single-mindedly elbowed his team-mate aside onto the grass entering the pit-lane during the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai last month. There are some who contend that Massa is being increasingly edged out of the door at Ferrari speculation that is scarcely quelled by the reaction of the companys president Luca di Montezemolo to his lacklustre performances of late and struggle to adequately get to grips with the F10 [see separate story click here] ostensibly to make way for Renault star Robert Kubica. Indeed, whilst he insists his principal goal is to stay put, the smarter money now looks to be upon the 29-year-old doing a straight swap with the Pole next year. I like it a lot at Ferrari, Massa told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat. I know everybody and everybody knows me. However, it is always encouraging to know that other teams with fast cars are interested in me. The main objective is to continue with Ferrari, but if that fails than we will look elsewhere. Another man to be linked in connection with Massas Ferrari seat is Red Bull Racings current world championship leader Mark Webber winner of the most recent two grands prix in Spain and Monaco though the plain-speaking Aussie is remaining tight-lipped, conceding only that things happen and change very fast in this business and you never know whats around the corner. The Maranello-based outfits team principal Stefano Domenicali, meanwhile, insists that we trust Massa...he is doing a good job, as the eleven-time grand prix-winner and erstwhile F1 2010 World Championship pace-setter bids to kick his challenge back into gear again in this weekends Turkish Grand Prix, around the demanding Istanbul Park Circuit at which he went unbeaten from 2006 to 2008 and that he transformed into something of a personal stomping ground, acknowledging that it is probably my favourite track. The only thing that matters is my work within the team and how we prepare for the future, he told French publication Le Nouvel Observateur. I came here to be with Michael [Schumacher in 2006], I have also teamed up with Kimi and today Im with Fernando. They are all strong drivers. I feel a lot of respect within the team and that is what matters.
1) Bahrain- Massa +16.099 behind Alonso 4) China- Massa +45.927 behind Alonso 5) Spain- Massa +41.702 behind Alonso OUCH!!! Frank
flash back a year or so ago to the "Alonso doesn't play well with others" threads. In retrospect PK Jr. may have been his perfect team-mate. No competition and managed to throw him at least one win
I dunno, those street circuits can be pretty bumpy. Maybe his foot just slipped Kubica would refuse to be a number 2. He is a no bull s*** driver and, in my mind, would be an odd personality paring with Alonso.
Bye bye Phil. Solid driver who's time at Ferrari has come to an end. May he move on to a satisfying new phase of his career with dignity.
Refuse? How exactly might that work? Unless Kubica can produce Hamilton like results Alonso will be #1. Personally I don't see Alonso being happy with Kubica as his #2 and if its forced on him the team will suffer.
According to Autosport and the BBC,not ot mention Domenicali, Massa is staying at Ferrari. Actually, nothing is certain.
By not complying with team orders re: the pecking order. I'm sure that there are probably hundreds of incidences of this throughout a season and Kubica has quite the reputation for not being a "company man". So I don't mean refuse to be a number 2 in the strictest sens (i.e. behind in points) but rather in general with his interaction with the team.
That's the type of behavior that having Alonso paired with a competitive driver fosters and its corrosive. Everybody loses. Sorry but if you want Alonso you forfeit having a viable #2.
Agreed...hence my "odd personality pairing" comment. I'm not sure that it would work at all; I personally think that the perfect partner for FA is Massa. He is very amicable, loves the team, is a SOLID number 2, and has a more similar cultural background to FA.
And no threat If it weren't Ferrari's sad history of screwing up a good thing I'd assume they'd leave Phil in place.
True. Wasn't it LDM who said "if it ain't broke, throw it off the bridge"? Regardless, they seem to like the headlines that the silly season and all of the driver swapping brings.
Ferrari may not have invented the silly season but they have turned it into high art. Or better yet grand opera. But that's part of the mystique and charm.
+1 And, we're not even into the real silly season yet - Wait until 1/2 - 3/4 thru' the season when it'll really start hotting up - Chandhook gets a few good runs, *he'll* be the next wunderkind heading to Ferrari! Cheers, Ian
BWAHAHA Maybe even 'ol PK's name will be mentioned around the paddock (and it all comes full circle).
OK, maybe Chandhok is a long-shot, but you get my point..... Somebody in a newbie car bats above their average for a few races "back at home" and people start to talk - "The silly season!" If he brings enough $, all will be forgiven. Cheers, Ian
What I would like to see is Kubica stays at Renault and Massa joins him as number 2 driver and have Kimi back at Ferrari.
Between Kubica, Webber and Phil, the incumbent seems Ferrari's likely choice. 5th in the WDC and the only other driver besides Webber to have scored in every round. But, I think he is destine to be career #2 driver unless he finds another team with a top car while he is still on the right side of 30.
