What's up w. Barrichello

I wonder if Reuben's will be at Ferrari next year???
His comments astound me, stating that he's a better driver than Michael, etc.
His lap times don't reflect that, nor do the RESULTS...and now he's siding w. some of the Michelin drivers, in the GDPA etc...Rumor has it he's looking to move elsewhere, as it is....
Is Ferrari WISE to find a replacement for HIM, ---many drivers would welcome the opportunity and there are quite a few YOUNGER drivers that would fit the #2 position at Ferrari!
Thoughts?

 

Rumor has it he'll be driving for BAR in 06 and Massa will take his place. Fine by me.

 

He has decided to stay at Ferrari till the end of 2006.

 

I heard that as well, but does S/F agree?

 

According to Jean Todt, there is a solid contract between the two parties till the end of 2006. The only way to end that contract would be through mutual agreement. Since Rubens has already played his hand by stating that he wants to race with Ferrari till the end of 2006, there can be no mutual agreement to end the contract.

 

Anyone think he is so upset being second to MS that he is dragging now. I started to think so with his performance in France. We will see how he does next week. I think he wants out of Ferrari after I read that Ferrari altered his RPM setting in the USGP.

 

Barrichello is out of there.

Unless MS already told Jean Todt, Rubens that he's retiring after this season. Maybe that will convince RB to stay for 1 more year.

RB > BAR
FM > Ferrari

 

I think Ross Brawn told both drivers to ease up on the engines to make sure that they would last in France. No sense in flooring them and pushing to the max when 3rd place is a couple of laps down.

 

That is illegal now (only allowed to monitor the engine, not change settings via the communication with the pits) and thus Ferrari could not have done that from the pits ... thus it must have been a verbal thing.

I do think though that Massa is a poor choice ... but will not loose any sleep about loosing RB.

Pete

 

It was a verbal command to both drivers. Which makes it all the more weird why RB would whine about it to the press.

Agreed on Massa. Agreed on the sleep issue.


PS: Get either Kimi or Alonso as #2. And when MS retires get the other one.

 

Interesting.........

I didn't hear that MS got the "word" also. Maybe RB didn't know he wasn't being singled out. If I find the ref., I'll post it. I still think RB isn't feeling the love.

 

RB will finish his contract at Ferrari. Several reasons. One, he is good for the team. While I am not a huge RB fan, if you want to win races and Drivers titles, you have MS. Next, RB finishes races, scores points, and gets on the podium. Look at the points race and the reason that Ferrari still has a shot is that Fisi and JPM are not scoring points for their team. RB has been good to the team by being consistent. Second, I am not sure MS would take to bringing in Kimi now. Part of me says so what...if he doesn't like it so be it....but I think they will keep the team together for one more year and then start a major rebuilding.

 

rubens is just stirring the pot so's to get a better hand for the next contract negotiations.

 

LOL ... it's like this:


RB knocks loudly on Jean's office door after pumping himself up with confidence for about 5 minutes.

Jean Todt, yells: "In you come Rubens, take it easy on my door mate. How can I help you"

RB: "Its contract time boss ..."

Jean Todt interrups: "Rubens this is our offer as per the fax ... or please close the door on the way out"

RB, deflating: "But Jean, I've been a very good boy and team player ..."

Jean Todt, interrupting: "We have Micheal we don't need you"

RB: "But I'm faster than Micheal ..."

Jean Todt, interrupts again laughing: "What dream was that Rubens!."

Deathly silence ...

Jean Todt: "So are you going to keep the number 2 seat warm or not, we have plenty of options. Atleast you get to drive a Ferrari, mate"

RB, sighing and completely deflated and back to normal: "Okay boss ... should I accept a pay cut like last year, or just get on my knees?"

Jean Todt: "That's the spirit Rubens ..."


Pete

 

Anyone else find it disturbing that they've started color-coding the cameras on top of the cars, so the fans can also say -- "Oh, it's just the #2 driver".

I think F1 teams have reached the point where they're trying to "save money" by skimping on the second car prep. You can argue that it's all in the drivers, but the #2 cars on most of the leading teams just aren't getting the "luck" that the lead cars have.

Once you're a #2 driver in F1, you're treated like, well, like #2.

But it's got to be tough for Rubino: In past years, the #2 Ferrari was the only thing that stood a chance to catch Michael. If Rubens drove a Renault or McLaren now, beating Michael wouldn't mean much ... and he'd still be a #2 driver (even moreso at Renault).

"As fast as Michael" may be accurate enough on a couple of testing laps, and Rubens has been doing fairly well on qualifying runs. You could even argue that Rubens is better at driving on cold tires (or dry tires in the wet). But getting every corner just so, lap after lap after lap -- nothing but a machine would get it like Michael.

 

I think that they did that because some people can not figure out who is driving that car by looking at the drivers helmet. I must have heard 50 people say damm MS is way faster than every one else he just turned a 30 second lap. when in reality they timed the distance between MS and RB.

Then when i explaned to them that the camera wings are colored for the #1 and #2 cars they looked at me and said "Gee i did not know that?"

 

Precisely. And not a new thing either: E.g. Sauber has color coded its rear view mirrors for many, many years. And back in the Berger/Alesi days there was a light red square on the rear wing distinguishing the cars.

 

In my opinion Alonso should replace Berrichello...

Berrichello, in his time there has not shown that he can defend the team...if MS were to retire, for example..

 

Neither Alonso or Kimi would go to Ferrari to be Number 2 to Schumacher when they are already winning and Number 1 on their own team. Dream on. Maybe after MS is gone, but that will depend on who is still there in the Technical department.

 

Hello, Valentino. Good-bye, Rubens; at least by 2007.

Ferrari wants the best. An Italian national champion helps, too.

Dane

 

Actually, I found that very helpful at the USGP, because I simply couldn't 'see' the helmets quickly enough in some situations. The third cars had a yellow camera pod.

 

I'll add that the "#2 driver" doesn't have to be the "#2 driver." It's easy. Be faster than the "#1 driver" and guess what will happen? You know what.

 

Rossi not interested in F1 anymore.

 

It used to be a lot easier before they built up the cockpit sides.

 

There is no way in hell that MS would allow Kimi as a teammate. Same goes for Alonso. RB will likely stay or they will sign Massa. Both men are too big a threat to MS.