FERRARI F1 Drivers Beyond 2009

Go Kimi & Massa!

 

IMO, Kimi has nothing to worry about, unless he decides to retired after 2009. It is Massa that has to prove he belongs with Ferrari by showing that he can race go wheel to wheel against the likes of Kimi & Alonso and be a consistant top finisher. Massa can win races when he is out front running away from others, but he has yet to shown that he can pass and to not crack when under attack from other top tier drivers.

 

My guess is that one of the young guns like Vettel will follow Massa or Kimi, whoever leaves first. Kimi won't become old in F1, I see him retiring after maybe 2 more WDCs (which we will of course see in 2008 and 2009 )

 

Massa passed Kubica at the Nurburgring if I remember correctly. Massa was passed by Alonso on track at least once. I don't think Massa is bad, just no better than some others would be in that role. I'd actually like to see Kimi and Button together, but that's just my opinion.

 

Massa is great as long as he is in a great car. The same thing goes for Rubins. I would love to see Jensen Button in a Ferrari.

 

a precise quote...PRICELESS

thanks for that...slashing Massa for loosing the lead to Alonso on the wet is just ridiculous...or slipping through the monsoon while having midwets...

 

WHAT!!!!! How about Alonso passing Massa in the rain at the 'Ring. Alonso passing Heidfeld through the esses at Magny Cours, best pass of the season (on par with Sato on Alonso).

Fully agree about Massa. Great "number 2" driver. As such I think he and Kimi are a great combo. Massa is perfectly capable of winning the race in dry conditions from pole position with a good car. Maybe he will continue to improve this year. He was impressive in the wet in quali in China I believe it was.

Why is it ridiculous to criticise Massa for losing the lead to Alonso at the 'Ring? As soon as the rain came down Alonso was taking almost a second a sector (!) out of Massa.

 

IMO, a top tier driver is someone like Kimi, Alonso and maybe Hamilton, with them driving in an equal or better car. The 2007 BMW-Sauber had shown some promise but it is hardly in the same league as the F2007 or the MP4-22. And I also do not think Heidfield or Kubica can be ranked in the same group as a top tier driver in 2007.

 

If I may, just out of curiousity, how do you rank the following 4 drivers: KR, FA, LH and FM ? Also, which of the 4 drivers named will you pick to be your one driver in a winner takes all situation?

I rank them in the following order: KR = FA > LH > FM. And I would pick Kimi over the other 3 drivers at this moment simply because I think he is less likely to get rattled by influences outside of the car than any of the other 3, with Alonso being a very close 2nd.

 

I think time has passed Heidfeld by and I honestly don't think he will do any better a Ferrari or at McLaren. He can still compete and may even win some races, but not to challenge for the title.

Massa did show a lot of improvement since becoming Schumacher's teammate, but IMO, there is just something seems to be missing in Massa. I think he still has room to grow, but I just don't see him being in the same group as Kimi, Alonso or even with Hamilton.

 

I am sorry that I was not being clear enough with my question, but I think I know what your answer will be now. What I am try to ask you is, if it comes down to only one single race as it did in Brazil this year, who do you want as your driver ?

I really believe that for a driver to become a future WC, he/she needs to have a certain degree of success early in their career (~ 3 years) and maybe even winning a race or two. Which was something that both JB and NH lacked, for one reason or another. It helps to build that all important confidence. I think Hamilton was extremly lucky to be in a McLaren in 2007, but that can work both ways. He showed a lot of poise as a rookie, even with Alonso, a 2xWC as his teammate, he still wasn't fazed and was able to keep up with him. IMO, he does have a lot of potential, but like you, I also feel that he still has more to prove before he can really be ranked up there with Kimi & Alonso.

 

I feel confident that Vettel is headed towards Ferrari.
Weather he will replace KR if he rests on his laurels, or Massa, depends on which of them goes first.
I cannot see Kimi retiring soon.
MS likes Vettel and Ferrari needs a young Lion that someone else broke in.
My vote would have been Nico but I think that boat has left the harbour.

 

how old is Vettel now? 21? 20? 22? i suppose he;ll be in Ferrari in 5 yrs time..

 

I have a sneaky feeling LH will blitz the field with no TC, let's face it they will all feel like rookies for a few races, thats as along as the ECU doesn't make up to much for the loss of traction.

 

I think you're right Steve. Apart from him being, IMO, one of the very best drivers in F1 with a load of natural ability, he's only been driving with traction control for one season. Many of the others have been in F1 for some years and have become used to, maybe even dependent on, traction control. Those drivers may well find the change more difficult to cope with than those, like LH, who have much more recent experience of racing cars with no traction control.

 

don't forget Kimi

 

Not forgot Brian, The Flying Finnish iceman will pick his moment and step up when it count's..

Or he may run away with it..we shall see soon.

 

yes, very true.

but i hope both Scuderia drivers will deliver, and be consistent. i'm not bothered which one, as long as one of them bring the WDC to Maranello.