Stefano Domenicali still believes in Massa

[rocks.ral]

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali says Felipe Massa's performance during the 2008 season should act as a reminder that the Brazilian's poor start to 2012 can be overcome.

Massa failed to score a point in the first two races of 2008, but then went on to fight for the title until the final grand prix of the season, where he lost out to Lewis Hamilton by just one point.

The Ferrari driver has not been on the podium since the 2010 Korean Grand Prix, and he has endured a tough start to the season, having not scored any points yet to his team-mate Fernando Alonso's 35.

Massa has decided to cancel a trip home after the Malaysian Grand Prix in order to travel to Ferrari's factory in Maranello to try to get to the bottom of his problems.

Domenicali said the Brazilian needs the support of the team, as is convinced Massa is still capable of much more.

"I well remember that, four years ago, in fact right after a Malaysian Grand Prix, which was won for us by Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe was more or less in the same situation as today," said Domenicali on Ferrari's website.

"The papers were demanding his immediate replacement and he managed to react in the best way possible, thanks to support from the team, which saw him win two of the next three races.

"We remember how that particular season ended, with the Brazilian actually world champion, even if it was just for a few seconds, while we took our 16th constructors' title.

"Felipe has changed his plans and, instead of heading home to see his family in Brazil, he will be in Maranello tomorrow to work alongside the engineers to calmly analyse everything that happened in these past two races, trying to identify why he was not able to deliver what he is capable of.

"That's the right spirit and we are here, ready to help him."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98433 (AUTOSPORT) (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98433)

[sav_pap]

Me too and this is not an irony comment. What is missing here is Massa also to believe in himself and be the old good driver we all saw in the past.
Forza Felipe!

[wacc]

"I well remember that, four years ago, in fact right after a Malaysian Grand Prix, which was won for us by Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe was more or less in the same situation as today,"

Well, Felipe was under pressure then. But in that 2008' Malaysian GP he was on pole and retired from the lead. So a little bit different kind of "similar situation." But the F2008 was more competitive than all the newer cars he has driven.

[Cemz85]

I used to like felipe, i thought he had much potential but unfortunately he lacks that now.. Last two years he has been shocking.. Really has.
You cant win a Contructors title with only one driver performing, he has to step up, but clearly he cant.. he qualified 3 tenths off alonso's Q2 time in sepang, his engineer said good effort but didnt tell him "oh btw, alonso had KERS problem"

[wacc]

Fernando had KERS problem in Q3 only, so please make your facts right before starting another bashing of Felipe. It was a good effort from Felipe.

I had a KERS problem on my only run in Q3, but I don't think it cost me any places... (Fernando)

We had a KERS problem right in the final stages of the session, when Fernando set out for his last timed lap in Q3, (Fry)

[Cemz85]

It was a good effort from Felipe
The race was a good effort too wasnt it, the race before this on too huh..
Ohh wait, what about the 2011 races too, they where good effort, hrmm...
:roll

[rocks.ral]

u cannot solely blame felipe for his efforts not going well... the cars were not competitive.. both the 150 Italia and F2012.. Fernando and Felipe are of course completely different kinda of drivers.. while Fernando can even bring the best out of the Hispania.. Felipe requires a good car under him... there are many such drivers who require a good car to perform well.. Take Vettel, the champion himself.. he cud do nothing when his car is under performing and Button struggled in 2011 and so did Hamilton but in spite of all the problems Alonso was always on the podium.. we cannot go forward if we kept pointing fingers.. each back him up and encourage him or let him free for another team who will.. Do not pressurize him further.. well, its my perspective.. but according to me.. he should be let free... a driver at this level should not under perform for more than 2 years.. maybe Perez or perhaps Roseberg can strike a deal with Ferrari in the recent future..

[wacc]

The race was a good effort too wasnt it, the race before this on too huh..
Ohh wait, what about the 2011 races too, they where good effort, hrmm...
:roll

No, it wasn't. I have just corrected your comment regarding KERS and Felipe's latest qualifying performance.

[bladeswing]

the way i see it ( and in hindsight ), its not more of SD still believing (so much ) in Felipe, but rather because it's just too early in the season with a dog of a car at the moment. you dont count chickens while the eggs havent hatched. these two red eggs havent hatched yet. potentially a fast car, unfortunately still havent been unlocked. when its a potentially winning car and Felipe is still nowhere near the podium, then it would be more justifiable for Ferrari to let Felipe go. Of course, we true Ferrari fans would always want to support both our drivers, but for how long can we stand not being competitive for the WCC?