Massa urges Ferrari not to favour Alonso

[vcs316]

Felipe Massa has repeated his desire for equal number one status alongside Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso in 2011.

While Alonso pushed for the title in his first season with the famous team, incumbent Massa struggled notably last year.

But he is reportedly much happier with the new Pirelli tyres, showing well at recent test sessions with Ferrari's newly renamed F150th Italia.

However, it was Massa who was ordered aside for Alonso at Hockenheim last year, triggering the FIA's controversial decision to legalised team orders in 2011 and beyond.

But Massa said being Ferrari's permanent number two is not in his plans.

"Choosing a number one driver too soon reduces the (team's) chances to win the championship from two to one," he told La Stampa newspaper in Italy.

Massa has previously blamed Bridgestone for his 2010 struggles, but in the interview he said he takes "full responsibility" for his performance last year.

"As to my capacities, I know how to win -- races and also the championship," said the 29-year-old, who came tantalisingly close to beating Lewis Hamilton to the crown in 2008.

And as for the new Pirellis, Massa insists: "Compared to the Bridgestones, they are working better for me. They are as I like them."

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=400253

[brava]

I don't see where Massa "urges"

[Hermann]

Massa should better stop talking about this at all because the press will be after new gossip bringing up the story again and again and he is just feeding them. IMHO.

[Rishu]

I don't know why is he talking in Button's tone. He is good enough to let his driving talk

[Tifosi]

Classic example of a story made where there isn't one.

When you think about it, this is all part of the F1 media propaganda that we all have to put up with all the time. The media want to have something to write about so they predetermine that there will be a "number one driver"" issue at Ferrari in 2011, and go out of their way to manipulate any quotes made by either Ferrari driver to support that.

"But Massa said being Ferrari's permanent number two is not in his plans" is another example of suggesting Massa was talking about one thing when he wasn't.

May I suggest the following two sources for articles actually worth reading about Formula One. Most news sources seem to be copy and paste versions of one another these days, primarily written to get maximum hits on their website as opposed to giving you insight or or even anything vaguely resembling actual news as opposed to twisted editorials based on leading questions given to drivers or other F1 personnel.

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/

Like all human beings, neither are totally impartial but they are both excellent sources of accurate information and zero bull ****.

[Agron]

Massa should better stop talking about this at all because the press will be after new gossip bringing up the story again and again and he is just feeding them. IMHO.

Nah, from the two little quotes I've seen in that article, he was asked about it and answered in the most diplomatic manner: betting on a single horse since the start of the season is more a risk than a strategy.

[Hornet]

Ah, the press continues to look for non-existent friction between our drivers
They should go bother the Red Bulls for a change

[elekvault]

LOL @ press.

They just throw a couple quotes that have NOTHING to do with the article title, and then they just juggle with words to create a non-existent story, fooling people into thinking that Massa actually said what the title suggests.

It's sad, pathetic and insulting.

[racingbradley]

They might find more evidence of this situation at McLaren but they wouldn't dare publish it.
Just because Ferrari is a non-British team they target us maybe because they fear us.

[scuderiafan]

They might find more evidence of this situation at McLaren but they wouldn't dare publish it.
Just because Ferrari is a non-British team they target us maybe because they fear us.

Speaking of McLaren, martin burundle said that Jenson and Lewis could fall out this year. I dont really see that happening, but it could.

[racingbradley]

Speaking of McLaren, martin burundle said that Jenson and Lewis could fall out this year. I dont really see that happening, but it could.

If it does we will not hear about it!

[ferrari4life]

Good luck Massa..you know where to put your money at..if you want it then go take it otherwise better support Ferrari in whatever decision they make.

[TheProdigalSon]

Whoever writes these headlines... I 'urge' them to relate them to the actual article!

[zakfourie]

Still absurd... Massa is already in a losing mindset.

[racingbradley]

It would be interesting to know what was the state of his mindset at the beginning of the 2008 season with Kimi just crowned WDC and expected to challenge for another championship!!!!!!

[F2007]

It would be interesting to know what was the state of his mindset at the beginning of the 2008 season with Kimi just crowned WDC and expected to challenge for another championship!!!!!!

2008 was end of one era. Massa had his chance with Domenicali but came up short.

Now Alonso is the top dog. And his turn to try. I bet he wont miss twice.

[Tifosi]

2008 was end of one era. Massa had his chance with Domenicali but came up short.

Now Alonso is the top dog. And his turn to try. I bet he wont miss twice.

Ferrari came up short in 2008 if I remember correctly, not just Massa. He was also taken out half way through 2009. When Massa and Raikkonen were team mates, I don't remember it being anyone's "turn" as such - they just performed differently.

[Grillo]

We all know it will be solved on the tarmac. Both drivers have all the support from Ferrari but sometimes it is mandatory to make a decision about who will fight for the WDC. I just hope the car is as good as it was last year, second half of the season, and either Alonso or Massa, or both, will have a good chance at the Championship.

[Anni]

2008 was end of one era. Massa had his chance with Domenicali but came up short.

Now Alonso is the top dog. And his turn to try. I bet he wont miss twice.

"Fernando is NOT faster than you, but it´s his turn to try. Can you confirm you understood this message?"
Ferrari would be the joke of the year. A season is long and nobody knows what will happen, it would be ridiculous to write Felipe off before the first race even started. Even IF the team WOULD favour Fernando, things could still work out different.

[ruud king]

Listen guys, we all know the saying "when the flag drops,the BS stops" so let's see what our boys will do this year.
Until then it's all gossip...

[F2007]

[QUOTE=Anni;646820]"Fernando is NOT faster than you, but it´s his turn to try. Can you confirm you understood this message?"
QUOTE]

Rob might heard it just like you said.

Anyways the original message turned out to be true. So it was right decision. And 2011 will be Alonso all the way.

[racingbradley]

And 2011 will be Alonso all the way.

You sound very sure of that!!!!!!!!!

[redsteph]

When I was in Monaco last year I was talking to Jenson's mum (sorry I know it sounds like name dropping - long story anyway) She mentioned about the press trying to create something between Lewis and Jenson and said that Jenson just isn;t like that and I don't think he is. Remember Turkey? Lewis was awkward on the podium because he thought that there was some sort of issue but Jenson was fine with it. If there is any falling out it will be Lewis's making

[Kingdom Hearts]

Massa is already starting the season handicaped with this kind of mentality. You are going to have the same car, same tyres and so on, prove on the track that your better than Alonso. This kind of comments are bad for Ferrari image, if Massa looses over Alonso in the first race, people will star to talk rubbish again.