http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/formula_one/13135902.stm
In a sense yes but the world and Felipe are under no illusions about his status. Personally Im betting that his engineer asked for tires and a 3rd stop and Ferrari declined. How dare Felipe get a podium It is what it is and you have to admire his struggle to return from injury and race and perform under the pressure Ferrari put him in because of the coward who left Mclaren, when faced with real competition from LH. Santander stayed with Mclaren per the contract and FA went to Renault, a losing team at the time rather than face LH. Speaks volumes about his character. He is fast and talented. Not much else(FA).
Almost makes me feel sorry for the guy. Good luck to him , it would be good to see him outperform Alonso this year.
I wonder in case Massa gives him a good run for his money if he will go back to Renault. Then Kubica comes back and................. Well that would be cool to see, altho unlikely
Right because Alonso the favorite was on a 3 stopper and they left Massa on 2? Let's be real here. Never miss a chance for some good old fashioned Alonso bashing.
I would love to see Massa win all season...AND put a pass on Alonso going into the pits. He could use some public stones exhibition, and to put Ferrari in an interesting quandry as to their favorite. Showing intelligent aggression at Ferrari will surely help his marketability outside the Scuderia.
Thing is, Massa needs to step and be a man. He should start bullying Alonso, and he's capable. Block Alonso, make him get frustrated and crack under pressure. If i were him, i'll get advice from Lewis. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsluGQsaKbM[/ame]
Nah. Felipe is an old fashioned "gentleman racer". He doesn't need to "bully" Alonso if he isn't near him. Just get off the line better and then stay well in front of him. (Seems I've seen that happen a couple of times. ) Ever seen "American Flyers"? Being ahead of Alonso is a bit like "sprinting with Eddie". You're inspired to go faster when you're chased by a mean dog. (Or by "the cannibal". ("I am *half* human".))
And find a new job. I don't see Domenicalli (sp?) letting Massa screw with Alonso for too long before they show him the door. Personally, I'd love to see Massa turn Alonso into a sputtering mess like Hamilton did, but I don't see it being allowed to happen. Mark
+1 but Ferrari have their preferences. Alonso makes a bit more than Felipe according to the BBC: England's Lewis Hamilton, Spain's Fernando Alonso and Brazil's Felipe Massa are the highest earners in their respective home countries, with McLaren driver Hamilton earning £11.2m, Ferrari number one Alonso on £13.8m and his team-mate Massa on £10.3m, according to ESPN magazine. Full story: F1SA I guess its good money to be the outcast on Ferrari only to be accompanied by your race engineer. No matter I do support Felipe over Alonso. Alonso is tainted with being too close to much scandal. Personally Id like to see him to go Red Bull(Felipe).
A couple of thoughts. Filipe to Renault. Why not. Heidfeld has not produced race wins. Massa has show he can. Also, please guys remind me if I'm forgetting something but, is not Massa injury the worst that a driver has come back from in modern times. Since Lauda? Last year was rough. His performance this year is good and he is not given the credit he deserves. The guy was bashed in the head by a big metal spring that had enough mass and velocity to drill through his helmet and into his head.
Like i said...Phil should not let Alonso walk all over him. The key is to always always outqualify him and make life difficult for him during raceday. That way, even if the Scuderia asks Phil to leave, he can get himself into a competitive team.
Bashing LOL, facts are facts please dispute what Ive posted. He folded like a beach chair and left for Renault. You make this far too easy and fun. Keep it up. Better yet put me on ignore or dont read what I post. Feel better?
Id like to see Felipe simply out work and drive him just like he did with Kimi thats all. Will it happen? Maybe. FA is good and fast and clearly has overall TEAM support. With the variability built in via the tires, Felipe might have a better year vs Alonso this year. If he doesn't the world wont end and no one will be shocked anyway. Alonso is naturally fast.
"......But do not get the idea that this is anything other than Alonso's team. The double world champion remains the absolute focus of Ferrari, as emphasised by the words of team boss Stefano Domenicali when asked if he had any observations on Alonso's somewhat low-key China race. "I do not want to get into anything that might be interpreted as negative about Fernando. He is a fantastic driver and the biggest asset of this team," he said. Massa and his engineer Rob Smedley fully understand this reality. The key to rescuing a reputation that is now far below that of 2008 - when Massa came close to delivering the team a world title - will be in working within that understanding. There will be zero psychological support from the team for any Massa attempt at getting equal status with Alonso. Felipe Massa Massa (left) and his engineer Rob Smedley form a strong partnership Within the team, Massa's support comes only from Smedley and the two are operating as their own little unit within a big picture of Alonso-centricity. Even when he was winning races and going bat to bat with Kimi Raikkonen, Massa was never perceived within Ferrari as a driver who might lead the team. The personal dynamics are simply wrong for that. As a straightforward and relatively simple soul, it is not within him to demand anything - and nor would the team respond well if he tried." **Surely anyone showing up in Felipe's place might want to read the above data. This is Scuderia Ferrari Alonso. Nothing or no one else.
Kimi was/is naturally fast, as well. Perhaps half a step below Fernando, IMO. Felipe took advantage of a disinterested Kimi. Fernando will never be disinterested. Forza, Felipe. You can do it, buddy.
