Now that he is in 2nd place and has basically only Kimi to fight, what are his chances of clinching his first (and only?) F1 victory? I so hope he does it. It'd be totally awesome and quite possibly his only chance this year or ever.
I think Massa has a very high chance of winning given the fact he doesn't have Schumi next to him. If Schumi can't win its atleast nice to see Ferrari win.
If KR is on a very light fuel load like last weekend and FM has a normal amount, then I think he'll at least beat KR. It looks {by the numbers} that FM has been quicker than KR all weekend and only lost out on the last qual session. I think he'll be fighting all the way to the first pit stop, KR not pulling away at 1 sec a lap but still a few tenths per lap. Depending on how early KR pits, I think FM has a shot at pulling a MS and driving hard for several laps while KR has a full load of fuel, making it possible for FM to come back out with the lead. After that I think it could be a battle or KR droping off. Other than that, look out for THE REVERSE GRID TRIAL! I can't remember who on this board thinks that's a good idea... ummmm, I know his name, I just can't think of it... he doesn't mention it too ofen but when he does it's always passion filled, yeah I can't put my finger on the name. P.S. It will be exciting because a couple of 5th placers will be running the race up front followed by a few 9th placers then there will be very needy champions teleporting through the pack to beat one another. REVERSE GRID ON TRIAL SUNDAY!
You talkin' to me? Yes I love the reversed grid idea. But done properly, meaning predictably based on the WC points. The way they handled it here is amateurish and idiotic. I hated both penalties. Plus a reversed grid in Hungary really doesn't pan out that well since it is like Monaco without the houses. No chance for passing. Reversed grid in Hungary will most likely lead to mayhem. Lady Luck will rule the race, not driving skill.
I think we will all be surprised by some sort of Ross Brawn pit strategy, and Michael will win the race. I do not off hand know the length of pit lane in Hungary, but if this is MS and RB's last year, they will make it happen in the pits. My question, can Michael opt to start from pit lane, and would that be a benefit? The immediate benefit is not get caught up in some sort of first lap accident. I also fear that with the Renault's excellent starting capability, Fernando trying to win the race on the first lap. I do think he is showing frustration and that could come out as a single stupid move.
I still think MS will win. He will probably have 1 less stop to make than the people in front of him. On top of that, he will probably easily get a podium. Remember Monaco when he started dead last? He just needed a couple more laps and he could've past RB and DC to get to 3rd. Now he's starting only 1/2 back on a similiar, slow speed, circuit. I wont' be surprised if he wins. Think Kimi style from Japan '05.
No chance in hell for a win. I'd be surprised if he even makes it into the points. My prediction is that this will be a write off for both title contenders. Starting from pit lane is no good: MS and Alonso only got to 2nd round of qualifying which means they can pick and choose their fuel anyway. So start from the grid and hope for the best. But in Hungary, they really are out of luck. When asked in the interview Massa acknowledged that MS really has no influence on him in this race. He didn't say it straight out, but it is obvious why: Because he won't make it to the front.
I don't see a benefit in him starting from the pits considering he's 11th right now. He can put in as much fuel as he likes. No reason to force yourself to pass 11 guys to get back where you should've been. I don't think there will be an accident within the first few turns.
Seriously, not even in the points? He's only 3 spots down from the points. He will probably pass a few of the top 10 based on his fuel strategy. The Ferraris are currently the fastest cars on the grid. I don't think he'll have any problems getting into the points unless someone wrecks into him on the first lap. Podium is a good possibility imo. I will not be surprised if he wins.
The car and the driver are top notch and on any other track I'd say hell yeah. But not in Hungary. I agree there is a good chance for him (and Alonso) to pass a few cars and maybe a few will break down. But a win? I don't think so. That's why Massa's goal is to collect as many points for the constructor's championship and hence the Scuderia will do anything to make him win. This is the best chance he ever had and might ever have. Although I start to think MS will retire this year and Massa might get some more chances next year alongside Kimi. After all Kimi's Ferrari will just crawl to a halt, given his bad luck...
Like A1 said, remember MS's performance in Monaco, and Hungary is always compared to Monaco. Podium at minimum for MS. And I still believe a win is possible.
I think Massa will pull off the win. The Mclaren is either unreliable or they always have some problem in the pits.
No no no, the guys name doesn't start with Tifo, it's more like Andretti or Andrew... I like the idea of the reverse grid. As long as the guy I put money on always wins.
I really hope Massa can pull this one out. If Michael can perform like he did in Monaco I don't think a podium is out of the question. Here's my guess FM KR MS and hopefully FA finishes ninth
Massa actually still has a mathematical chance at the championship. And quite frankly of the three guys in the running he gets my vote. Won't happen, but a nice thought.
If he keeps driving like he has been in the last several races, Massa will take this one. I do believe MS can make it into the points but I doubt he has a chance at winning. Even a podium would be unlikely. Hopefully FA is some how taken out of the race (first corner shunt) and we can really get this championship back in line. Mark
Based on his drives in qualifying, Massa has a good chance if Todt gives him a stiff drink just before the start. Massa has been doing a great job working with Michael, but he's still very young and inexperienced to be taking the reins on his own, and it looks like he was the victim of his own nerves in qualifying. Starting from the dirty side on a dusty track, Massa is unlikely to out-drag Kimi to T1, and has to be careful not to flat-spot his tires there, as he did with both qualifying sets. Remember that grid spot 3 (on the clean side) has Rubens: the guy Massa replaced. That's going to be a shoot-out in its own right. If Massa over-cooks T1, he'll fall victim to Rubhino, giving Kimi a chance to run away while the Honda holds up the parade. We've got Michael next to DC behind Heidfeld with Klein on the clean side of DC. Behind that, there's Alonso's launch control abaft Butt-In's Honda. Further up, we've got Trulli in the Toyota next to Fisi who took Trulli's ride in the Renault. There are a lot of people who might think they have something to prove on the grid. I predict first lap mayhem somewhere in the field. This may be the time for someone to stand up at a driver's meeting and remind everybody that nobody wins the race in turn one.
LOL agreed, since everyone is saying this track is Monaco without the houses, turn 1 is pretty much all anyone has to get ahead.
