Fernando Alonso has issued a one-word plea to Felipe Massa: HELP!

You hit the nail on the head (and welcome back Steve!).

Ferrari have conflicting requirements. On the one hand they need someone who will be a #2 to Alonso - because Fernando can't handle someone who is his equal (or in Hamilton's case, his better). And on the other hand they need someone good and fast.

Ferrari seem to spend a lot of time trying to balance these two conflicting requirements and it's a very hard thing to do.

 

I've said that Massa is as close a thing as there is to a perfect #2 driver. Not good enough to be seen by Alonso as a threat but good enough to win if Alonso falters.
BTW Say hello to Peter at SuChangs for me

 

this is funny, what is Felipe going to say, " no, I will not try to finish on the podium!"

lol the way I see it he's in a catch 22 in every sense of the phrase

 

Fully agreed.

Now if he would only stop yapping on about having equal driver status etc.

 

I have to agree as well but his performance still seems to be on a downward slope

 

It seems that way. Or at least it is erratic. The difference in performance between Hockenheim and Suzuka is appaling.

 

Thanks Mike.. agreed.

The realization of #2 status maybe.

 

Allow the man his pride.
Its not as if he means it

 

That's what I liked about Irvine: He publicly accepted being #2.

 

I don't have the record book handy but my (always wrong) gut says that Massa may be the more successful of the two.

 

Massa owe the team everything. He is simply not good enough to drive for them, but he is there, so alone that fact means he owe them BIG TIME!!

 

LOL!!! Please tell Ferrari he is not good enough. Love it.
Thanks for the entertainment!!! They hired him amigo not me. In case you need to know....its Luca Di Montezemolo the president who approves the contracts. Let him know Massa isnt good enough. Oh...ask Kimi too. Ciao

 

I suppose you would know more than the actual F1 drivers?

"As for the 'Best Active Driver', that went to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso"

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/6269395/-Senna-s-the-best-Nico-s-the-prettiest-

 

right on. Massa is perfect there for now..good enough to win when the stars align reasonably well, but definitely not good enough week in week out to 'upset' FA. having said that, i'm betting Ferrari is well along the way in trying to leverage for after FA leaves.

 

I think Massa leaves first

 

But who takes his seat?
I don't see the Scuderia dumping him unless his complaining upsets the rest of the team (Alonso).
IMO his Bitcin' has just been a bit of face saving macho strutting and that he loves racing for Ferrari too much to ever leave willingly.

 

If he continues with Suzuka style "performances" then he'll be gone faster than you can say Sutil or Rosberg

Don't kid yourself: there will always be an endless supply of drivers willing to sign up with the Scuderia at any moment in time AND they are fast AND they are willing to be number twos

 

They're always willing to be a good #2 when they sign. A week later though...

 

Not true. Pironi was the last one who didn't play along and karma made him pay

 

Yes or no. Massa in 11?

 

My one word to Alonso...WIN

And may the horse be with you!

Forza.Ferrari

 

I doubt he has much of a choice

 

You can bellyache all you want over it - they've lined up in equal equipment and Hammy won. He proved he's better. Fact.

He's almost certainly improved since then too making the gap even larger.

Factual recorded results trump an opinion article, even if the opinion is an educated one.

 

Who, specifically, that is better than Massa?

Almost any driver that goes there is going to be hoping to match or beat Alonso. Any driver wants a fair shake - thus far, Massa hasn't really gotten one. #2 drivers either don't last long at Ferrari (Kimi) or they aren't that great of drivers (Massa). It's been a long time since Ferrari had a good #2 who was willing to be #2. I am not sure if they can do it again.

Not just Ferrari though, happens at all teams. Look at Piquet @ Renault. He sucks and he was lucky to be in a car yet he still whined about being #2. Actually, if you look at the string of #2's Renault had, you see how hard it is to have someone drive alongside an egomaniac like Alonso.

 

There are flaws in your logic, but I really DGIF.