Nico in Maranello

Not unlikely. I strongly suppose that Massa and Schumacher would prefer each other to Alonso and Rosberg.

 

Please remember that Phil remains under contract in 2012. OK, we know what F1 contracts are worth but I don't see this happening next year. He's still, IMO, the best bet as Freds #2. [Dons flamesuit again ]

Forza Felipe!

Cheers,
Ian

 

Hmmmm - Just read that and the source is - Wait for it;
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.
..
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Bild!

IMHO they're about as reliable as the Sun or the National Enquirer.

Cheers,
Ian

 

two sources are mentioned. express and bild. express isn't a very good paper as well, but it's not only bild who is reporting it...

 

I could see Ferrari wanting Nico, but I sure don't see MB wanting Massa. He's been completely useless this year, and his "racecraft" consists solely of "none shall pass". He spends his races looking in his mirrors fighting off all the faster drivers, and pretends that the rules about leaving room when being overtaken don't exist for him. He turned in on Button in Oz, On Webber in Monza, not to mention Hamilton in Japan and India. Given a choice between being passes and hitting the other car, Massa always seems to choose the collision. Good to see the stewards recognized exactly that in India.

I sure can't see that he has anything that Mercedes would want, they'd be better off with Senna if they wanted a Brazilian driver. As for Massa'Ys Ferrari contract for 2012 - come on, it was only 2 years ago that Ferrari bought out a much more expensive Kimi when they wanted Alonso. If Luca is tired of Massa's hystrionics and excuses (nobody else had a problem with the secondary curbs in India, you'd expect that after his first broken suspension Massa would have figured out that he should stop cutting the corners quite so much...), then Luca will be happy enough to pay Massa to go away. Loyalty following the 2009 accident only goes so far, after 2 more seasons Massa has only proved that he's not fast anymore.

 

Fair comment.

But, apparently Express reported only that Luca was pissed with Phil's performance in India. I'm sure Phil wasn't happy with it either!

He's had a rough year for sure - Some of it his own doing and some unavoidable - Race for long enough and bad years will happen - That's just the nature of the game.

Forza Felipe!
Cheers,
Ian

 

That is fantastic news!

There is hope that we can finally get rid of Massa.

Keeping fingers and toes crossed.

And send my sympathies to MB if they end up with that hack. They deserve better (Di Resta/Sutil).

 

i read the original articles (one in bild, two in express). express was the paper reporting that nico was in maranello last week.

bild didn't mention nico's visit, btw.

if someone wants to read the articles:
http://www.bild.de/sport/motorsport/nico-rosberg/formel-1-geruecht-ueber-wechsel-zu-ferrari-20741078.bild.html
http://www.express.de/motorsport/neue-wechselgeruechte-schielt-rosberg-auf-massas-ferrari-,4595266,11081210.html
http://www.express.de/motorsport/ferrari-flirt-flieht-rosberg-vor-schumi-,4595266,11085700.html

 

OK, my bad.

I stand corrected - Thanks for setting me straight.

I still don't think anythings gonna happen next year though.

Cheers,
Ian

 

at this moment neither do i.

 

Stop the press's!!! I heard on SPEED that Perez will replace Massa or was it just a crazy dream?

 

I think Massa is past his sell by date in F-1 the accident had to take a lot from him, and he has nothing to be ashamed of, frankly he's lucky to be alive.

That being said, I think the Perez deal is done, with lots of Mexican $$$ flowing to Maranello. I like the DiResta idea, but He still has to develop... perhaps he goes to Sauber Ferrari combination? I think Alonso has maybe 2 more good years left... I'm sure Vettel is on Ferrari's shopping list, and Redbull cant stay on top for ever.

 

Bad move for Nico if he harbors any dreams of a win or a title. They should get Kovalainen and end this. He has played the #2 before quite well. Nico should not do this.

 

If he thinks playing second fiddle to MS(which he inferred after the India race) is bad, then he's REALLY going to be unhappy behind FA. At least there won't be any controversy over which is the faster driver. (Then again, perhaps Nico just needs a better car, a la Jensen Button)

 

I'm not sure this would actually benefit anyone. Ferrari would get a driver that is faster in qualifying, but goes backwards in the race. So not much gained over Massa there.

Nico would have a faster car, but would be outclassed by Alonso.

Massa would get a slower car, and still be a #2, albeit not behind as dominant a #1.

MB would get a driver that isn't an improvement in qualifying or race craft.

Perhaps the only one that benefits is Schumi, who would get a teammate he could out qualify with more frequency.

 

Motorsport Aktuell had an article re: rumors that Nico might end up at Ferrari. They mentioned that MS is fix at MB for 2012 but with Nico the situation seems to be more "fluid": Haug in an interview (in Bild, yes I know blablabla) said that all options are open, meaning for him as well as for the team. So he might have a contract for 2012 (or not) but nothing is carved in stone yet.

 

A title seems a pipe dream but a win is IMHO a very realistic chance. Alonso has won with Ferrari and chances are under the right circumstances Nico could win as well.

Or to put it differently:

Rosberg's chances for a podium are a lot better at Ferrari than at MB.

 

True on both for now assuming Ferrari get it right next year. Nico is young and probably impatient and unhappy with himself. Is he really that good though? He doesnt appear to make a weak car look a little better, he doesnt appear to have that talent or does he?

 

I believe he is better than Massa but not good enough to bother Alonso. A fine line.