Nico in Maranello

I had no heard this before but apparently Nico was at Ferrari last week and they want him. Nico essentially has no comment regarding next year with Mercedes yet there are notes of his contract clause which allows him to leave under certain circumstances. Because Nico has signed no contract with MB to date I believe this is a real possibility. I could see a swap between Massa and Nico.


http://www.yallaf1.com/2011/11/01/rosberg-no-comment-as-ferrari-talk-grows/

 

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

 

I could see MB doing one of a couple things. If they lose Rosberg, I bet they could pick up Massa for a cheap song but I bet they would want DiResta first, also for a cheap song.

 

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?

 

Ferrari mentioned Perez not long ago, but for 2013 or 2014 I thought.

 

Yup. Massa can go race other things as far as I'm concerned. He has been spoiled with Ferrari for far too long. There are many other drivers on the grid I would rather see in his seat. If Ferrari want Nico, I believe they will buy out Massa, but I do not believe they will pay Nico's contract with MB which is why I am very interested in knowing what his exit clause option says regarding what circumstances must be met.

MB will buy out DiResta from FI if it comes down to this. His contract isn't all that much and he would certainly be cheaper than Nico

 

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.

 

DiResta is Mercedes' baby. They have sponsored him and kept their eye on him for some time so he won't be with Ferrari any time soon. Ferrari does not need Vettel with Alonso in the line-up.



This whole visit to Maranello is picking up steam with several other sources reporting the happenings with a tiny bit more info. This stuff does not get out in the open for no reason. Nico wants out and Ferrari wants him, but I believe Nico may very well be kicking himself for doing this as MB has a better long-run potential IMO. That being said, Nico would give Fred a good run but I know Nico will continue to suffer from his race pace consistency compared to other great drivers.

 

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.

 

I would wager Nico would give Nando a run for his money during qualifying, but not on race pace unless of course the car fits him perfectly