Ruben's threads merged: Currently he has left the building.

correction.



IT WAS SEPT. 12. 2004


NOT A TIME TRAVELER ! JUST AN F1 FAN


I GO TO ABOUT 4-6 A YEAR

 

I hate all this

 

Watching the GP2 right now, I've come up with a Ruben's replacement. To start at the end of the pack and now be running second is Nico Rosberg. He might be just the "fresh" start for Ferrari with the V-8's and he knows how to drive F1 cars having tested them for Williams. I bet he'd be a good second driver to MS. Not a good race weekend for Scott Speed - he set fastest lap but is out of today's race as was yesterday's also.

Carol

 

It looks like Ruben's replacement is going to be Felipe Massa, we will probably know for sure just before the next GP, maybe even today after the race.

I just heard this on the TV GP transmission.

- Julio.

 

From Planet-F1 it looks like all this speculation could come to fruition.

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/story_20509.shtml

 

Rosberg in a Ferrari? I like the sound of that. I guess I'm just nostalgic.

 

I think Massa is only going to be a temporary solution until Michael retires. Once Schumacher is out of the picture they can put a new #1 and a strong #2 into those seats. Massa will be no threat to Schumacher and hence fit in nicely for next year. He'll probably be gone by 2007.

 

Peter Sauber has confirmed that Felipe Massa will be leaving the team at the end of the season – prompting renewed speculation that the Brazilian will be replacing his compatriot Rubens Barrichello at Ferrari.
According to paddock gossip, Barrichello has already signed a two-year contract with BAR.

Massa, managed by Ferrari team boss Jean Todt's son, has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Italian giants. Massa tested for Ferrari in 2003 and following Sauber's disclosure that he will leave the team at the end of the season it's now widely believed that he will take up a race seat alongside Michael Schumacher in 2006.

"I would have liked to keep Felipe with my team for one more year, but it's too late now," Sauber told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Massa himself made no attempt to disguise his wish to join Ferrari.

"Yes, I'm in a good position, thanks to the good season I'm having," the newspaper quoted him as saying. "Ferrari is my dream and it would be a fascinating experience, as long as you have a competitive car, which I would demand from Ferrari or others.

"Being team-mate with Schumacher? It wouldn't be a problem: he's my reference point.

"If I beat him, then it would mean I'm on my way to become a champion myself. I hope a decision will come soon."


There's no definite language in the above report - speculative language. It's been known for some time that there's several folks that would like a turn with the red cars. Perhaps the fact that he was a test driver and is managed by Jean's son has a little power of persuasion. I like his comment about being a team mate. I still have to agree with all the Speed commentators that Rubens should hang out one more year. Time will tell....

Carol

 

I wonder , was it RB's decision to ask for the out or was it Ferrari's Idea? I too am a fan of the underappreciated RB. It has been a great time for Ferrari and he was a good soldier. I am going to pull for him whereever he ends up.

 

No way Flav will let Kov go. My money is on he's along side Alonso next year.

 

I think Ferrari will quickly snap up at Massa, since he was testing for them years back. Since Sauber will change to BMW, it would make sense to bring back Massa back to the stable>

My 0.02c

 

Whats nostalgic about Rosberg in a Ferrari?

 

Varsha on Wind Tunnel just threw more gas on the DC to Ferrari fire. Saying that basically he'd be holding the seat for just next year then to make way for KR. I'd say that overall he's about the same as RB so on certain level it does make some sense. Although Massa makes more sense.

 

I would like to see Kimi come to Ferrari.

 

I hate to see RB jump ship. Was he pushed? His contract was good until the end of next year. How sad.

 

I'd like to see De La Rosa in the Ferrari...

 

what a big wank this whole scenario is. goodbye rubens. can some one tell me what he has done when the team as a whole were not winning everything? an excellant idea might be schumacer bros together. older bringing up younger?
or the kimi and micheal show? or scott dixon from new zealand. now theres a starter.

 

Monday, 01, August, 2005

Felipe Massa has refuted speculation that he has a deal in place to join Ferrari next season.

The suggestions were fuelled by Massa’s team boss Peter Sauber admitting to Gazzetta dello Sport that the Swiss team had been unable to hold on to his services for 2006.

“I would have liked to keep Felipe with my team for one more year, but it’s too late now,” Sauber told the Italian newspaper.

However, Massa insists no deal has been done and that he still doesn’t know where he will be driving next year.

“I don’t know and to be honest [the speculation] is not true,” he said.

“At the moment we don’t know where I am going to race next year. Maybe I can even stay at Sauber, maybe I can leave.

“At the moment it is too early to say. I am a bit surprised to hear that Peter said that. I don’t think he said it because it is not the right thing to say as I am still talking with BMW.”

Massa has been linked with Ferrari due to his spell as a test driver for the Maranello team in 2003 and the fact that he is managed by Nicolas Todt, the son of the team’s sporting director Jean.

There is expected to be a vacancy alongside Michael Schumacher because Rubens Barrichello is widely believed to be BAR-bound – although there has been no confirmation on that score either.

Despite his cautionary words, Massa did not deny that he relishes the chance to race for Ferrari.

“Every driver would like to drive for Ferrari,” said the Brazilian.

“If I have the possibility it would be fantastic but, as I said, nothing is done at the moment.

“Even if he [Barrichello] is leaving, it does not mean [the replacement] should be me. At the moment everything is open.”

===============

Ferrari would have already lined up a replacement for Rubens before releasing him.
This is why I continue to think these rumors are false. There is no way Ferrari

 

RUBENS: LAY OFF THE RUMOURS
Last Updated: Monday, 01, August, 2005,

Rubens Barrichello has expressed his exasperation at the mounting paddock and media speculation over his future, saying it is causing strains within the Ferrari team.

The Brazilian is being widely tipped to leave the Maranello outfit one year before his contract expires in favour of a switch to BAR-Honda in 2006.

Former three-time world champion Nelson Piquet added credence to the rumours when he told the Brazilian press (citing contacts at Honda) that Barrichello had already agreed a two-year deal with BAR.

But Rubens claimed his compatriot’s comments were unhelpful and that the speculation was destabilising the team.

“This story has created problems inside the team,” Barrichello told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Some mechanics and engineers – with whom I have a great relationship, we are like a family – couldn't avoid asking me questions: If it's true that I'm leaving, why, what happened?

“These are things that don’t help during a race. If I’ll have to say something about my future, I’ll do it at the right time. Now I’d prefer not to hear about it any more.

“Why did Piquet have to come up with this story? Wouldn’t it be better if he followed his son [Nelson Jr] in GP2, who by the way doesn't seem to be doing too well?

“There’s been lots of confusion in Brazil too.”

When told of Barrichello’s comments Ferrari boss Jean Todt had a blunt response.

“Barrichello said that some stories would have created tension and annoyance in the team? What annoys me is failing to win races,” he said.

“I also give priority to the things that make us win; I’m not interested in pressures and tensions.”

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=33679

=============================

So much for all the rumors!!!

Piquet IS AN IDIOT to start stupid rumors like this!

GO RUBENS GO!

 

He did not flat out deny it though. I think he IS leaving.

 

But what he did do is tell Piquet to mind his own business.... and took a good swipe at Piquet Jr. (FANTASTIC)

“Why did Piquet have to come up with this story? Wouldn’t it be better if he followed his son [Nelson Jr] in GP2, who by the way doesn't seem to be doing too well?"

 

I like Todt's comments.

 

Felipe Massa has refuted speculation that he has a deal in place to join Ferrari next season.

The suggestions were fuelled by Massa’s team boss Peter Sauber admitting to Gazzetta dello Sport that the Swiss team had been unable to hold on to his services for 2006.

“I would have liked to keep Felipe with my team for one more year, but it’s too late now,” Sauber told the Italian newspaper.

However, Massa insists no deal has been done and that he still doesn’t know where he will be driving next year.

“I don’t know and to be honest [the speculation] is not true,” he said.

“At the moment we don’t know where I am going to race next year. Maybe I can even stay at Sauber, maybe I can leave.

“At the moment it is too early to say. I am a bit surprised to hear that Peter said that. I don’t think he said it because it is not the right thing to say as I am still talking with BMW.”

Massa has been linked with Ferrari due to his spell as a test driver for the Maranello team in 2003 and the fact that he is managed by Nicolas Todt, the son of the team’s sporting director Jean.

There is expected to be a vacancy alongside Michael Schumacher because Rubens Barrichello is widely believed to be BAR-bound – although there has been no confirmation on that score either.

Despite his cautionary words, Massa did not deny that he relishes the chance to race for Ferrari.

“Every driver would like to drive for Ferrari,” said the Brazilian.

“If I have the possibility it would be fantastic but, as I said, nothing is done at the moment.

“Even if he [Barrichello] is leaving, it does not mean [the replacement] should be me. At the moment everything is open.”