Massa, Kubica To Swap Seats?

[NJB13]

I highly doubt it will happen for 2 reason
First being that Ferrari could have just sign Kubica if they wanted instead of signing Massa for another 2 more years. Why go through the trouble of signing a driver and start swapping him out?

Secondly, Massa is not struggling at Ferrari at the moment, not IMHO. He's had a tough season, but since he got back to the front in Germany, he has been doing really well, certainly not "struggling".

It just doesn't add up for me.

Good post and all valid points. I guess the only possible thing that might have changed since the signing Felipe again is Germany. Some might try and argue he wants to move as a result of being upset by that event. Personally I'd be very disappointed if that was the case.

[Nova]

I think this is silly...Kubica is #1 @ Reno....why would he want to change that? Massa matched FA's times at MOnza, and aothough he MAY feel like
Ferrari signing Alonso is the worst thing in the world, there are worser things...

Silly season indeed...last thing I heard sillier than this was that Ron Vadar thinks he's Enzo Ferrari....

[Rishu]

The season may have almost two months to run, but rumours of driver movements within the top teams are yet again circulating, with Robert Kubica again linked with a switch to Ferrari.

Recently, a Spanish television station reported that, notwithstanding the existence of new contracts, Felipe Massa and Kubica could be set to swap seats for 2011.

The Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell is now reporting a similar rumour, stating Massa could leave Ferrari at the end of the season to make room for Kubica. But the report said Massa would not be taken on Renault but by Ferrari-powered Sauber, where he drove as a rookie in 2002 and again in 2004 and 2005.

"Of course I read all the rumours," Kubica said in an interview, "but in the end the only thing is winning. We are all here because we want to win and you need the best car for that. Currently I'm at Renault and so I am focused on this team and on improving together. In 2011 we want to fight for the world title. We'll see what happens next."

Kubica admitted that he would like to race for Ferrari one day. "In karting, Formula Renault and F3, I've always been with Italian teams and I even lived for more than a year near Monza. Ferrari is a team unlike any other. The emotion and the history is unique. I think every driver would like to drive for Ferrari."


http://en.espnf1.com/ferrari/motorsp...ory/28937.html

[Alessandra]

The body language says it all.

Now I am an expert in the field of reading body language...........ahem............what they are saying and thinking, in Alonso's case, is as follows:-

Felipe: I could have overtaken you but my tyres.........
Jenson: Are you 'avin' a laugh?
Fernando: Oh ***** here we go again........

[Anni]

Actually I was reluctant to post this here since I would rather not disscuss all the rumors about Massa leaving Ferrari. He has a valid contract with Ferrari for next year and in my opinion we should respect that and not listen to all the rumors out there.
However, following rumor is very persevering here in the German media and so I decided to post it here, just because I am curious if anyone else (from another country) has heard something this rumor.

From RTL, translated with Google translator(not very accurate but I think you will understand it):

For Felipe Massa expects tough 2010, the year has become. Following the announcement that the two-time world champion Fernando Alonso moves to Ferrari, Massa was combative and optimistic to have a chance against Alonso. The reality is different from: Massa is clearly in the shadow of the dominant Spaniard. Alonso is fighting for the championship, Massa about his future.

The 29-year-old Brazilian, in the 2008 season just one championship point vorbeigeschrammt the title stands for Ferrari on the siding. Behind the scenes - is it - the team leading the Scuderia is working on the commitment of Robert Kubica. Massa's contract was indeed not until 9 June extended for two years, but stubbornly keep the rumors, Massa was deported in 2011 for Sauber.

The fact that Ferrari does not care about old merits, had already experienced Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn, world champion in 2007 with the Reds, was brutally replaced with Alonso and parked against a lush "Millions" pain and suffering 'in rally sport. Massa's deportation could run more elegant. Sauber Ferrari is a longstanding partner with motors and drives from Maranello. Massa, who drove in the years 2002, 2004 and 2005 for the Swiss Peter Sauber, could therefore be removed to clean, although continuing in the Ferrari family. Depending on the contract situation, the Scuderia would not even thus in breach of contract.

Ferrari's desire pilot Kubica, a fat friend of Alonso, is still bound by contract with Renault. Until 7 July, he had extended his contract with Renault for two years. A poaching of Poland would cost the Italians so real money. But if Ferrari is really serious, money has rarely played a role. Kubica probably needs to be persuaded not take long to switch from Renault to Ferrari.

[Tifoso]

EDIT: THREADS MERGED-TSN Mod

I really, really like Massa, but I believe this is true.

[Anni]

EDIT: THREADS MERGED-TSN Mod

I really, really like Massa, but I believe this is true.

I hate to say it, but I either think it might be true, but as long as nothing is official I still have hope Massa will stay. IF he is to leave Ferrari it is much more likely he will go to Sauber than to Renault, in my opinion.
I just called the rumor silly because I call ALL rumors silly until they are official

Someone from Brazil told me, most Brazilians WANT Massa to leave Ferrari, and it´s very likely he will follow the wish of his fellow brazilians.

[Hornet]

I hate to say it, but I either think it might be true, but as long as nothing is official I still have hope Massa will stay. IF he is to leave Ferrari it is much more likely he will go to Sauber than to Renault, in my opinion.
I just called the rumor silly because I call ALL rumors silly until they are official

Someone from Brazil told me, most Brazilians WANT Massa to leave Ferrari, and it´s very likely he will follow the wish of his fellow brazilians.

That's a very sad thing if its true.

Also about what Brazilian thinks... I think they should give the situation (Massa-Alonso-Ferrari) a chance first. This year has been very difficult, a true test to the situation is when both our drivers have a proper attack on the championship from the beginning. Besides, Ferrari is Massa's only chance at the title I'm afraid that the moment he departs from a front runner team to something like Sauber, its very hard for him to get back to the front. I think they are too quick to judge things based on Michael-Rubens past situation.

[Grillo]

If Massa does a good job in the last part of the championship as he's doing in the last few races he will stay in Ferrari. It would prove he had problems heating the tyres but he'd have been able to solve it and could be again very fast in 2011 with the new Pirellis.

If Ferrari win a title he would stay regardless. I think Massa's future all depends on himself and the outcome of the season but see Kubica driving a red car very soon, 2012 maybe.

[Katu]

if Kubica and Massa will swapo places and Kimi returns to F1 with Renault - guess who will be teammates again?
still don't believe that it might happen

[Suzie]

So where's he going then? It was Renault, then Sauber. Where next? By this rate it'll be HRT this time next week.
Certain factions of the media will not be happy until Kubica is in a Ferrari.
Ferrari seemed happy to sign Felipe when his results weren't great at the beginning of the season - after a few podiums and 4th places why would they suddenly decide they want Kubica now.

[epiclyaddicted]

I hate to say it, but I either think it might be true, but as long as nothing is official I still have hope Massa will stay. IF he is to leave Ferrari it is much more likely he will go to Sauber than to Renault, in my opinion.
I just called the rumor silly because I call ALL rumors silly until they are official

Someone from Brazil told me, most Brazilians WANT Massa to leave Ferrari, and it´s very likely he will follow the wish of his fellow brazilians.

Wow, really?

[Stormsearcher]

So where's he going then? It was Renault, then Sauber. Where next? By this rate it'll be HRT this time next week.
Certain factions of the media will not be happy until Kubica is in a Ferrari.
Ferrari seemed happy to sign Felipe when his results weren't great at the beginning of the season - after a few podiums and 4th places why would they suddenly decide they want Kubica now.

Well, maybe we are hearing of it now, but was decided long back. Just to hypothesise here, maybe they signed him on with a clause saying so and so... maybe on the total num of points he makes this season, or maybe diff between him and alonso ( might explain why he is so disgruntled even after driving so well to come third at monza) ... and if he failed to make the grade, then the swap happens.
I do wish these reports are wrong and so is my hypothesis, cause i think Nando and he make a great team. They need not be lovers like the McLaren duo, but as a team of competitive drivers, i think they are doing a fine job.

[Greig]

Well, maybe we are hearing of it now, but was decided long back. Just to hypothesise here, maybe they signed him on with a clause saying so and so... maybe on the total num of points he makes this season, or maybe diff between him and alonso

Why would they bother doing that, or why would Massa bother signing a new deal with such conditions, if Ferrari were concerned about his performances then there would be no rush for us to do a new deal, Ferrari I am pretty sure are happy for Massa to stay and want him to stay, I just hope he feels the same, Kubica won't really change Ferrari IMO.

[Stormy]

I think it would be unfair not to give Felipe one more chance proving him self that he can fight for a championship we are all seing that he has improved a lot since Germany and i think that kind of performance from Felipe will continue flowing till he is exactly the Felipe he was :)

[REDARMYSOJA]

I doubt this will happen but Kubica didn't really deny it. It's one of those stories that just keeps hanging around.

[TheProdigalSon]

I thought we already stopped playing musical chairs when everyone signed new contracts in the summer. This just seems like the media needing something to write about, since none of the big sites have reported anything to confirm any of this is true. And all the rumors I've read have no real evidence that anything is happening just pure speculation. Anyway cant see anything changing so just going to ignore this unless their is some solid evidence which there isn't at the moment.

[NJB13]

I think Felipe deep down, Germany upset Felipe. And I think this might have a lot to do with what's going on with these rumors. He probably did instigate some of his people talking to other teams, and perhaps talked with his old boss - Sauber. I think the real problem is that he just hasn't come to terms with being a proper team player. Perhaps, deep down, he doesn't want to accept the "tag" that he is, somehow, a #2 driver.
Firstly, I hope, if that is true, that he calms down and realizes that what was required of him in Germany, in no way makes him a #2 driver. I want Felipe to stay.
But, if he really can't accept that sometimes a Ferrari driver has to take a bullet for the team, then, it's best he leaves.
As to his replacement, well, the first thing we need to establish is that they understand and accept that the team comes first, second and then the driver can be thought about.
It is interesting that Kubica didn't say anything the dispel the rumors, even talking up Ferrari as a destination for every driver.
I still want Felipe to stay, but to stay as a team-man

[bladeswing]

I hate to say it, but I either think it might be true, but as long as nothing is official I still have hope Massa will stay. IF he is to leave Ferrari it is much more likely he will go to Sauber than to Renault, in my opinion.
I just called the rumor silly because I call ALL rumors silly until they are official

Someone from Brazil told me, most Brazilians WANT Massa to leave Ferrari, and it´s very likely he will follow the wish of his fellow brazilians.

I think - and let me say this with due respect - that these people should understand that in Ferrari, the team always comes first. Massa understands that and follows that by heart. How could his supporters not?

[Lithium]

I don't see this happening. The medias can spin the things all they want, but one thing remains unanswered - what's in it for Renault? They have a contract with Kubica, the team is on the rise, they have their objectives and expectations all wrapped around Kubica. I like Massa, but I doubt Renault would want to swap Massa for Kubica. And even if Massa wants to leave/leaves Ferrari, I just don't see Renault letting Kubica go. Why would they?

[Sempre_Ferrari]

I don't see this happening. The medias can spin the things all they want, but one thing remains unanswered - what's in it for Renault? They have a contract with Kubica, the team is on the rise, they have their objectives and expectations all wrapped around Kubica. I like Massa, but I doubt Renault would want to swap Massa for Kubica. And even if Massa wants to leave/leaves Ferrari, I just don't see Renault letting Kubica go. Why would they?

Well if Kimi does indeed go to Renault they would have to let Kubica go, I don't think they can afford to pay two top drivers so maybe there is some truth in it somewhere

[Lithium]

Well if Kimi does indeed go to Renault they would have to let Kubica go, I don't think they can afford to pay two top drivers so maybe there is some truth in it somewhere

I doubt very much that Renault would take Kimi over Kubica. Kimi is a bit of an unknown quality at this time, so dumping one of the most highly ranked F1 drivers for a driver who's been away for a year would hardly make sense. Plus, when it comes to Kimi, there probably still are commitment/team work issues, where Kubica actually excels. Kimi might still go to Renault, but that will hardly be at the expense of Kubica. No team will pay him the amounts of cash he used to be paid, not even close.

[Katu]

if Renault lets Kubica go for Kimi, then Massa has to leave to make free space for Kubica. If Renault can't handle to pay both Kubica and Kimi, how would they be able to pay Kimi and Massa? I doubt that Massa would go to Sauber, they have even less money than Renault does

[Ferrari_Fanatic]

Hold your horses everyone Massa isn't going anywhere! Why would they sign him up for another 2 years with not that good results and then dump him when hes been getting better??? Maybe if they extended his contract for a year but 2 years theres no chance in him going unless Massa leaves himself which i doubt because Massa loves Ferrari

[Effone]

At first I thought it was awful but after some thought I hope its right, Massa needs to get out of Alonso's team and in a team where he can race for the wins. (I know they aren't going to win now but who knows what the future holds)
I would hate the rest of Massa's career to be tied up as alonso's #2.

Do it!!

[DanielM]

Kubica is no better than Massa. It always amazes me how short peoples memories are and they forgot or ignore than Heidfeld was better than Kubica when they were team mates for over 3 years. I dont have any time for hype.

[Tifosi]

Kubica is no better than Massa. It always amazes me how short peoples memories are and they forgot or ignore than Heidfeld was better than Kubica when they were team mates for over 3 years. I dont have any time for hype.

So you're saying that drivers dont/cant improve over time?

[Hermann]

Maybe Alonso/Massa is not what you can call an ideal pairing sympathy-wise, but i think they have similar preferences car-wise. Though Fernando is able to cope with a car that is slightly oversteering he doesn't like it that way, and i think the same goes for Massa.

For the team this is an important factor. I don't know about Kubica in that aspect.

[Hornet]

At first I thought it was awful but after some thought I hope its right, Massa needs to get out of Alonso's team and in a team where he can race for the wins. (I know they aren't going to win now but who knows what the future holds)
I would hate the rest of Massa's career to be tied up as alonso's #2.

Do it!!

I would agree that if Massa is made the scape goat, then its probably better that he moves elsewhere. With his experience, he can easily be the lead driver in other teams.

However, as I mentioned earlier, its too early to pass judgement. People are too quick to judge the current Ferrari based on what happened with Ruby. Lets not forget that not only Michael is no longer with Ferrari, even Ross and Todt are no longer with our team. The current people in Ferrari F1 team is like a different generation of people now, a post-Schumi generation.

What happened in Germany has nothing to do with Ferrari trying the same tactic of building the team around one driver. Its something that any other team would have done. Desperate situations calls for desperate measure, so to say.

[mad_ani]

Maybe Alonso/Massa is not what you can call an ideal pairing sympathy-wise, but i think they have similar preferences car-wise. Though Fernando is able to cope with a car that is slightly oversteering he doesn't like it that way, and i think the same goes for Massa.

For the team this is an important factor. I don't know about Kubica in that aspect.

if they had a similar preference in terms of setup, how do you explain Massa not being able to work well with hard tires???