Button to Ferrari..... * SPOILERS *

Paul, that and the fact that he almost died when he got hit in the head by that Spring from Rubens car in 2009. Also to be fair to Massa, he did give up the race win in Brazil in 2007 to Kimi to help for the championship.

 

Agree. He was the team player in 2007 and China 2008 Kimi let Felipe by into second place to keep his WDC hope alive so Kimi paid him back (sort of). Massa has been a good company man-let's not forget Germany 2010-but the fact of the matter is Ferrari wants to win and a strong # 2 can only help the team. This year he's been a disappointment, but truth be told not as disappointing as Webber has been.

Next year's silly season should be interesting, especially if Kubby is around.

 

Ferrari wouldn't have won the WCC this season, but Massa's the reason they haven't even been able to compete for second with McLaren. Pretty surprising they renewed his contract for 2012.

 

My respect for the maturity of button's driving grows with every race.
My disdain for Hamilton grows with every race.
I wish massa was at his 2008 best.

 

+1 on the feeling for Hammi, the guy is off his rocker. Qualy and yesterday just goes to show that Vettel has matured and Hammi has regressed. Sad to see such talent wasted by a spoiled brat.

 

I think the point to be made is that massa was annoyed after the race, having endured another poor race as a result of being clattered. Understandably so. I don't think we should be reading into that about whether massa should be in the Ferrari or not, he is simply reacting to the most recent thing that happened, and making his point as it HAS become a habit for Hambone this year to be careless and gung-ho in his overtakes, not just of Felipe, but of other drivers too. Even in practice with his pointless overtake, it shows a lack of thought for his own safety as well as his fellow competitors. why should any driver accept that if hambone wants to come past, they have to accept he may hit them, he may damage their race, and he doesn't have to even apologise for his immature actions?

He is absolutely correct that the FIA should be looking at Hamilton with a view to encouraging his attention back to common sense because he WILL hurt someone at some point. He may make some great moves, and he may be able to pass cars to get towards the front after a penalty, that doesn't mean he should be casual with the lives of other drivers. Remember, the reason he can overtake lots of cars is that he is in the second fastest car! Just like me when on the freeway in my Ferrari, I don't take long overtaking slower cars, and neither should he. The difference is, he shows a lack of care in some passes, and at the speeds they do, this lack of care could kill or maim someone, including himself. Part of the super licence includes the duty of care to other competitors, and if hambone can't keep to this, maybe they should suspend him to give him time to consider whether he can trust himself to race without causing undue danger to others.

 

For those who want Massa out: IMHO that's not going to happen anytime soon. Ferrari can't handle two top drivers like Alonso and Button. Massa is past his prime but fits in well right now. And to be honest: Ferrari doesn't deserve second place in WCC this year anyway. Moreover: who cares about the WCC? (I know, the teams but only because it brings more money).

Ferrari need to get their act together and do something about their tire issues. If I were Button I would stay away from Ferrari as long as this hasn't been solved.

If Button is indeed so kind to his tires, the Ferrari tire situation will do him more damage than good because he won't be able to heat them up sufficiently enough.

 

See, I think it's specifically issues with Massa. Outside of Monaco (where he drove a desperate and ridiculous race), who else has he mixed it up with? Jensen took him out one race and Kobi did to him what he did to Massa in Spa, but where else has he had issues with other drivers? It's all about a pissing match between two guys who don't like each other, imo.

I think your other stuff is a little over-dramatic, but that's just me. We saw far worse incidents yesterday that have garnered little-to-no commentary.

 

If he can over Hamilton, i think he should be able to beat Alonso. Thing is, can Alonso take it?

 

Would he be allowed to B, that is the question.

I'd very much doubt it to be honest.

 

He wouldn't be a threat to Alonso imo. Button wasn't particularly fast this season, Hamilton was self-destructive. Alonso has the combination of both their strengths.. fast, good at managing the tires and consistent with almost no mistakes. Button's got the latter two.

 

Nico and Pappa Keke race one another in various events for fun in various cars and venues etc. Keke is ALWAYS faster. I think the last one they did was some ice racing thing with BMWs in the middle of nowhere.

 

Thing is, I have no reason to see why Massa needs to be replaced. It would be w whole different story if Alonso is winning and massa is finishing the races in eighth or tenth. Like I said, Felipe had some bad luck this past few races. Puncture at spa, got hit by webber at monza, got hit by Lewis in Singapore.

Ferrari sucks this year. There's no point blaming Massa for it. The team need to deliver a championship or a race winnin car first before tryingt to replace the drivers. Next year, if Alonso starts winnin on a consistent basis, and Massa is finishing like how he does this year, then I would be the first one to tell that he needs to be replaced.

 

I was thinking about potential Massa replacements the other day and considered Kobayashi and Perez, but what about Algersuari? The guy has had some real impressive finishes this year and is becoming frustrated with Red Bull re-signing Webber (read an article recently about how he feels he has earned a chance at a top seat). Plus he is young (only 21 but has a couple years of experience already), is Spanish (would potentially mesh with Alonso) and he seems quick/consistent.

What do you guys think?

 

Yes, but maybe now that they have nothing to loose is the right time to try someone different, before the new turbo era begins in 2013.

 

Not a bad idea. One slight problem: For now, the two F1 driving Spaniards don't get along at all.

 

I didn't know that.... I figured (guessed!) they were buddies, being countrymen and all.

Do they have some kind of "history"? [Wouldn't have thought so being as they're so far apart age wise?]

As for him being better than Phil - I very much doubt it!.... He's had a few bad races but remains the best option for the Scuderia IMO.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I didn't know that either. Can you fill us in a little more on the background there, Julio?

I assume that usually countrymen in any elite sport tend to enjoy one another's company - even if they are competitors rather than team mates.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

I have no hard information, but FA (and the Ferrari team) had a mini-outburst last week against JA, which fits well with the rumours I have been hearing of tension between the two. The outburst, much commented in the Spanish press, was due to Webber's pass of both of them in Singapore. FA showed IMO his ugly side, which he has been controlling very successfully since he joined Ferrari, and accused JA of obstructing him and making life easier for Webber. Various members of the Ferrari team were also agressive in their post-race tweets. I have no idea if the criticism of JA was justified, but most of the press here think not.

The two are very, very different individuals. JA is better rounded and is a man of many iinterests (musician and DJ with one album published, briliiant studies, good family, international education), whereas FA just drives.

Then of course, there is the whole regional political issue: JA is Catalan, whereas FA is Asturian. Notice that FA wears a very visible Spanish flag on his helmet, whereas JA doesn't. Don't ask me to explain the problem, it would take a book.

Finally, a part from a few exceptional circumstances (International football matches, travel out of Spain, and good eating or drinking), I think Spaniards tend to not like each other much beyond their (extended) families.

Cheers,

Julio

 

Good insight. Thanks!

 

Thanks Julio, that's fascinating stuff.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

I noticed the "incident" and thought the same thing; 2 spanish drivers but one drives for Red Bull junior so maybe there was a little incentive for JA to hold up FA. In any event JA may be "better rounded" outside the cockpit but I'm watching F1, and IMHO FA is the "best rounded" driver out there.