Not quite - prior to today's race, Bottas had scored 156 points, Massa had 98 points. 60% more points = consistently and comprehensively outdrove through the season. Bottas scored podiums in Austria (3rd), Great Britain (2nd), Germany (2nd), Belgium (3rd), Massa scored podiums in Italy (3rd), Brazil (3rd), then Abu Dhabi (2nd). DNF's happen to everyone and tend to even out, unless you mean accidents, and while some are just luck, others have driver factors (eg horrible start by Massa in Silverstone dropped him way back in the pack where he got caught up in Kimi's crash). Other driver's DNFs are also factors, eg Massa would probably not have got 2nd today if Rosberg's car had not had the ERS failure; so not making excuses and looking at the season's results, Bottas was undoubtedly the superior Williams driver.
I agree that Bottas did out drive Massa this season. Just because you don't agree with my opinion, doesn't mean i'm wrong or that i'm expecting anything. What you are expecting is not my concern. This thread is about Massa and a couple of posts people were congratulating him for a good drive in Abu Dhabi. Nothing to do with Bottas.
You fail to factor in the issues that Massa experienced with the car and the team that were not of his doing. I would not go so far to say that Bottas was the superior driver. They appear to be pretty well matched.
Except in 08, when he probably had a worst car and outdrove Hamiboy, wining more races and leading more than 100 laps than your friend....yap, perhaps he lost something after that spring in the head but, back in the day he was better than both.
Sorry Ron, I disagree. Bottas and Hamilton are on a much higher level than midfielder Massa. Massa is very inconsistent. He had a good day in Abu Dhabi, that's about it. Webber beat Vettel occasionally. Didn't mean a thing in the end.
Phil does well when he has one of his up days and everyone else has a down day. I like the guy but he lacks consistency.
Yes correct. I think he lacks confidence too, after the accident and the pressure of being Fred's team mate. However, if he can get his focus back, he can be a title contender.
Uh, right. Hamilton had the car turned way down to ensure a reliable run to the flag; Massa drove flat out on the softer stickier tires... and still couldn't quite catch up, much less pass, Hamilton. So Massa tried to take it to Hamilton, and failed. Look, Massa's drive was great, one of the occasions this year where he beat Bottas... I'll readily admit that he didn't suck in this race. But, it gets silly when it's suggested that Massa took it to Hamilton or is a title contender next year.
Listen to you guys. A bunch of Ferrari people talking on and on about the Mercedes and Williams teams. Bottas this, and Massa that... over-analyzing things to death. Just goes to show how much the Ferrari team has SUCKED for the last few years. Nothing, at all, to talk about there. You want to know why Massa has done relatively well this year? He is a real driver, not a politician and not a marketing icon. He is finally with a team, Williams, that is not so much caught up in the silly politics and hype. They appreciate him for the gentleman driver that he is. I think we need a damn sight more like Massa in F1!
I agree with Rick above but still think last year it was red bull this year mercedes unfortunately the car is now 75 to 80% of what counts, I still say it would be great to switch the two MB guys with the two Ferrari or mclaren then see what happens I bet any competent driver would beat the others in the MB package. of course I could be wrong. But if I am what explains vettels lack of performance???? If Ferrari were smart they would have Riccardo & Bottas but then they still would fall short. Hoping the regulations change so these guys can't compete again in real life not some artificial medium..... F1 should be the pinnacle......
Sadly F1 is now totally about the car......All the drivers are world class and would win in the MB unless their team mate beat them........ The British press are asking why Hamilton doesnt get the respect and admiration of previous F1 champs and most have concluded that it has little to do with his sometimes odd behaviour and nothing to do with his race......... it is simply the fact that the MB was so superior this year that his only real competition came from his team mate Rosberg.......... I was more impressed by his 2008 triumph when he had real competition from Ferrari and the likes.....
I dont think its silly at all.......Massa couldn't catch Hamilton due to the superiority of the MB works car. Sure, Hamilton 'cruised' to his victory but so would any other driver in that car. Massa's problem is simply lack of confidence after his demoralising tenure with Alonso at Ferrari. Give him half a chance and he will win next year.....maybe not the chanpionship but certainly races. Lets hope Williams continue to prosper and please STOP knocking this guy......
'one of the occasions'? That makes it sound like it was rare.... lol In the 14 races where both drivers finished, Massa finished AHEAD of bottas 8 times to 6...... so you should really be saying one of the MANY occasions this year where he beat Bottas....
Oh aye please tell me you are having a laugh right!!, comparing Massa to Hamilton< he is in another league....
You should have heard Matchett during the last GP: he went on to say that in all fairness Massa is a WDC because of how close he came to not winning the title What absolute rubbish.
Well at least we can safely say, there is an infinite amount of boneheads with open mouths, on this revolving rock ...
Let's Steve, please do, what about it? Do you also wan´t to talk abou Monaco that year? Brazil?Nurburgring?Fuji? what else?
How about Spa ..for starters..imagine you go to the race, see the winner on the podium, then get home and find the results have been switched on some BS ruling over the board room table, that totally undermined C Whitings job, and made him look irrelevant, yeh brilliant nice one...
I saw the race, Hamilton cheated and got penalized for it, end of story....if you really want to get pissed about something why don't you talk about Singapore and the fact that that race was actualy considered valid?
The story will never end as far as I'am concerned ,and every chance I get to highlight it, I will, liked or not, it was a complete and utter farce, which artificially helped Massa end off.
