Massa Fired?? Confirmed as merely a rumour.

Not necessarily a Massa hater, but viewed objectively Ferrari need a second driver that can support Alonso in the fight for the championships. Massa has proved time and again that he's not this type of driver. Webber, Button, and Hamilton consistently drive by him with no resistance. If the 2012 car needs as much development time as seems to be indicated by the testing sessions to date, Ferrari will lose points right out of the gate with Massa in the car.

Massa had his shot and came so close; heartbreaking really...

I can only hope that this rumor is true.

 

Hamilton would probably disagree with you about that...

 

As would Button Australia. I find it amazing Ferrari's problems(tire use/warming etc) will be 'objectively' cured by the simple firing of Massa. Objectively speaking thing are slightly more complex

 

Although I like Massa I think the team needs a newer and more hungry driver (#2) that can push Alonso up a rung on the ladder, I think that is important in any team and with any driver. I wanna see Perez in the car or if I dare Kobi, those two guys are hungry and they have taken the fight to established drivers, just as I would have.

 

Its most likely Massa's last year. Sure either of them might be suitable but the real question is who will replace FA. Neither of them are that caliber in my opinion. I see Vettel coming over at some point. The number 2 just isnt that important if it really was Massa would have been gone sooner.
The qualifications are finish well but not too close to the #1. Do things you are told and give up your ambitions for a title, at least with Ferrari. The next #2 with FA will first have to be approved by FA no matter. If you are FA do you really want someone better? FA has no problems with competition from other teams. Internally he does or used to at least.

 

I remember a few years back when the rumors started about FA going to Ferrari and I was PO'd big time (the team hires a driver who attempted to cheat them, wtf!). Yet I think the truth is atleast for the forseeable future FA will be with the Scuderia yet Ferrari must also seekout a driver who will challenge the (on paper #1) and make him earn his money.

Although I like Massa I am truelly yearning for new blood within the team.

 

Im a Massa fan but I have also hit the point where I see he must improve greatly or leave. I think he leaves no matter. SRT makes a good point as to who will step into a very difficult situation along side FA.

 

Strictly for myself I do not view taking the 2nd seat as being a difficult situation, maybe thats just me or the Texan in me I don't know. In my view a hungry 2nd driver could only make the team more of a threat and if say that driver was me I would only give up a win if my team mate had a chance at the WDC yet if that concession would also help the team in WCC points.

I would love to actually read a drivers contract.

 

Would be great to see all the clauses etc. I think at this point in FA's career the next #2 might also be alluding to who will be the next #1. I also wonder how long FA will wait for the next great Ferrari to take him to a title. Im sensing he is wondering that as well. Who knows maybe we would see Vettel and FA swap teams. Pure speculation of course!

 

The speculation of SV becoming a Ferrari driver imo was more prevelant when MS was there BUT I would not mind seeing SV adorn the Rossa suit.

 

I think the #2 driver is more important than some think, as it's critical for scoring Constructors points, running tailgunner for the #1, taking points off the other teams, etc. Ideally, Ferrari would like the #2 driver should be finishing on the rear wing of the #1 driver every race. Massa hasn't been able to do that for the past 2 seasons, and I seriously doubt he can do that this year - he's not good enough anymore.

I also don't believe Ferrari cares who might be able to replace Alonso - they don't train up #1 drivers like Red Bull does, they go out and hire the best experienced driver they can get. Sure, they trained up Massa - and he was never supposed to be a #1, he was always #2 to Schumacher or Kimi. The 2008 season was a fluke - but then again, that's why a strong #2 driver is important, to rescue the WDC and WCC if the #1 driver is injured (1999) or struggling (Kimi). Their #1 drivers going back have been Alonso, Kimi, Schumacher, Berger, Prost, Mansell... Scheckter. Gilles Villeneuve was maybe the last rookie driver they hired with the expectation that he could become #1, and that was 34 years ago?! Certainly in the last 20 years, Ferrari doesn't hire rookies even for #2, and doesn't promote #2 drivers to #1.

If Ferrari hired Kamui or Perez, it wouldn't be as an eventual #1. When Alonso retires from or leaves Ferrari, they will look to hire the best experienced driver at the time. Let's also remember that Ferrari won't necessarily always give Alonso a say in who his #2 driver will be - in 2005, Schumacher had no say in the Kimi negotiations, and if Schumacher had not retired at the end of 2006 then Massa would have got the boot for 2007, and it would have been Schumacher and Kimi in the cars. Luca pushed Michael with that decision to sign Kimi, and that's what pushed Michael to retire (prematurely).

 

Brilliant post!

Agreed on every single point.

 

+1

Except that according to many the WCC doesn't count for ****....... Further, outside of RB domination no team has their cars nose-to-tail very often.

I honestly think many of you are blinded by the new scoring system which has "expanded" the gaps and, IMO, "flatters to deceive". Last season, Phil DNF'd 3 times to Fred's 1. He finished out of the points just once. He beat Fred twice. He finished within 3 places of him 9 times.

And this is *Fred* we're talking about, maybe the fastest of them all. Able to get the absolute best from a mediocre car etc - Not some "average" journeyman.

A similar story in 2010 BTW.....

+1

However, I'm *amazed* that anyone thinks either of these guys would be any kind of improvement over Phil - Neither of them has consistently beaten their team mate or really shown anything that's ever made me say "wow!" [Apart from crashing a lot!]

Phil is vastly experienced, knows his place, doesn't often screw up, is loved by the team and can still deliver given a half decent car.

I'll say it again, there's not a better #2 for Ferrari out there right now. Will he back in '13? I doubt that, but I also suspect whoever replaces him will soon encounter the wrath of the "fans" if he's not always up Fred's chuff, which isn't gonna happen no matter who's in the thing.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Well, Hamilton isn't contracted for 2013 yet, maybe he could run closer to Alonso? Maybe Ferrari might decide that their usual #1/#2 strategy isn't getting results and try to shake up the driver strategy as well...

 

We know how well *that* worked out the first time!......

Not until Fred retires IMO. Incidentally, WRT to contracts, Phil has always said there's nothing in his that mandates him being the #2 - He claims (adamantly) that he's free to race. He's just not quite as quick, most times, as Fred. Neither are 90% of the others IMO.

Cheers,
Ian

 

+1 agreed.

 

Who told you that? Michael, Massa or Kimi?

We saw what Massa did to Kimi....Michael would have made minced meat of him.

 

Did you not follow F1 at all in 2006? This isn't new or secret by any means, it was widely reported and discussed in the F1 media. Luca signed Kimi for 2007, without seeking Michael's approval. Luca told Michael he had to make his own 2007 decision by the end of the Monza weekend in Sept, even though Michael didn't want to decide until season end. Michael wasn't keen on teaming with Kimi, and didn't want to leave his protege Massa high and dry without time to find a ride if the decision was left any later.

Of course I didn't speak to any of them - if you did, or have any inside info that is contrary to the above, I'd love to hear it!

 

+1

This is actually pretty well documented, for instance in "Business F1".

 

I didn't, and I don't. I was hoping you might have more definitive proof than "I read it in the news"

I've always been curious about what really happened.

I recall people saying one reason MS resigned was because he was afraid to compete against Kimi. I don't think someone who's afraid of being "shown up" starts racing motor bikes then makes an F1 comeback at age 42!......so I'd be keen to know the real ins and outs from the actual people involved, not just journalistic spin, if you know what I mean.

Leaving F1 and Ferrari when he did just makes no sense....and when something makes no sense, IMO, someone's lying about something!

 

I think they should be focusing on the car now rather than tweeting or whatever it is you call it.

We've just got less than 2 weeks boys! Giddy up!

 

Rubens Barrichello

 

Rubens was never fired. He left on his own accord.

 

Translation (Google):
"Former F1 driver Mika Salo was hired as a Ferrari F1 car behind the wheel.
- It's true. The feelings are confused and of course, very happy. It is a nice thing that the driver to harsh for my age are still needed, 45-year-old Mika Salo is responsible for from-Sanomat.

According to the IS sport, Ferrari has for some time been interested in harnessing Mika Salo know how their car development. Negotiations have taken place, and Salo has decided to jump back to the F1 car behind the wheel.

Last week, Salo was the Ferrari factory in Italy, where he made ​​a F1 car seat.

This year marks exactly ten years after Salo drove the last F1 season. Motor sport's Salo took the GT-series and 2011 he drove the last kisansa Ferrari GT car.

- Confirm your information and I can reveal that the period of Ferrari's F1 car in the near future, Salo confirm IS Sports.

Salo drove a Ferrari over the period 1999, when he injured tuura