No one better on market to replace me – Massa

[LightAmaterasu]

Yeah, he spoke in Italian over the team radio at the end of the race and said it was a shame that Fernando wasn't able to get a podium also.

This just shows. Felipe! Beautiful human being.

[zorro666]

http://www.blick.ch/sport/formel1/sc...id2057590.html

For all you Massa fans

Does it come with free lingo lesson coupons?
Genius!

[eddie]

Yeah, he spoke in Italian over the team radio at the end of the race and said it was a shame that Fernando wasn't able to get a podium also.

I hope the new rumours are true because it's been really, really tough at times this year having to put up with all this. He's been so good since the summer break, the highlights being that pass on Senna in Singapore, and going from 10th to 4th at the start yesterday... and needless to say I will be over the moon if he stays (understatement of the millennium).

Massa is back to his old form and his craft will continue to improve I am sure.

He has been a very solid team player. We dont see this at Macca and RedBull.

What a gentleman, containing his joy as he felt for Alonso and the team whom were half gutted... What a man

I personally hope Massa gets a contract that he favours. It will be very sad if he doesnt drive for us in a red car.

Counting down till formal positive announcements are made... I reckon before this Sunday

[eddie]

This just shows. Felipe! Beautiful human being.

I was very lucky to have had a chance to see Felipe very very happy (celebrating in much joy), last Sunday he was being very thoughtful.

Really respect the man

[Giallo 550]

I watched the podium ceremony. Felipe did not look happy, and I assumed it was because Fernando got knocked out and he wasn't able to take points from Vettel. I really believe there isn't a single driver in F1 with more class than him. Seriously, if you were a pilot is there anyone you would want more than Felipe as your teammate? They always say that it's a cutthroat sport and there aren't really teammates, but Felipe seems like an exception to the rule. No doubt he bleeds rosso corsa.

[Suzie]

I thought he looked happy!
And being too nice is probably his problem to be honest. It also means when people slag him off it's a bit like kicking a puppy.

[racingbradley]

I really believe there isn't a single driver in F1 with more class than him.

Agree with you entirely.
It's probably the reason he has so many loyal fans.
We respect the man first & support him through the bad times and celebrate with him the good times-------just what true fans do.

[Uzair Ahmed]

massa was really happy to be on podium...wasnt that confident as he was there after 2 years i believe...right after getting out of car felipe was worried and discussing alonso constantly..this shows that he cares about his team and team-mate...if I was LDM i would have re-signed him..

[Poltergeistes]

from his interview to the brazilian press, he gave an understanding that it's a matter of maybe days, he is always very careful when speaking of these things, during the interview a reporter asked about his contract being signed, and he said well i think that by the going of things so far we are very close to "what you are saying".

I think maybe it's just now about details, maybe numbers? but he has never been a driver that demanded insane or even top money from ferrari, even rubens i think got more cash value from ferrari than felipe ever did, and rubens was way critical of everything, when felipe really keeps the dirty laundry away from the public and press.

As for felipe mentioning fernando's bad luck, i remember even when he ot his first win in F1 in turkey 06 his radio transmission was also something like that, he had no reason to be thinking about his teammate when you are winning your first gp, yet he said he was very sorry for michael, but was very happy to have won a race.

As for us Felipe fans, it is anythin but boring, it can be very frustrating, and we can go from rooting for a championship, to praying for his life, and then simply being extremely happy over him just staying with our scuderia. i really would like to see felipe have a season like he did in 2008 before he leaves ferrari. a driver doesn't just lose his talents, and he definetly has it, he has shown it, and i hope he stays, helps fernando win this championship, and maybe in 2013 surprise everyone by being a contender.

[LightAmaterasu]

@ eddie

I think he's the most good natured guy out there.. unfortunately a lot of people walk on him because of this :( but still, he hasn't changed. Gottta love him for that !

[Suzie]

As for us Felipe fans, it is anythin but boring, it can be very frustrating, and we can go from rooting for a championship, to praying for his life, and then simply being extremely happy over him just staying with our scuderia.

It may not be boring but it's not good for one's central nervous system or serotonin levels.

[racingbradley]

You just have to be very optimistic, pray and hope with fingers and toes crossed.
But it's all worth it to be a Felipe fan -----he's just one in a million.
It goes to prove that the best goods come in small quantities.

[F430]

Does it come with free lingo lesson coupons?
Genius!

ever hear of google translate?

**personal insults of other members is in violation of forum rules**


http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/faq.php

[brembo man]

It may not be boring but it's not good for one's central nervous system or serotonin levels.

The above quote and " kicking a puppy", did my nervous system good !! Oh, Oh what a gal !!

[Suzie]

That means so much coming from you, brembo man

[Alonsomaniac]

I hope Ferrari realizes they may never get such a perfect driverpair again...they like eachother, work fine together , are loyal to the team and to eachother and BOTH can drive like a true champion.
We have two out of three - only the car must improve.

[Suzie]

I hope Ferrari realizes they may never get such a perfect driverpair again...they like eachother, work fine together , are loyal to the team and to eachother and BOTH can drive like a true champion.

And don't forget the most crucially important bit - they look like Bert and Ernie.

[Tifoso84]

I hope Ferrari realizes they may never get such a perfect driverpair again...they like eachother, work fine together , are loyal to the team and to eachother and BOTH can drive like a true champion.
We have two out of three - only the car must improve.

Great comment! And yea, I totally agree. We do have a great drivers pairing right now
Hoping to hear about Felipe's contract extension real soon!

[mirafiori]

I hope Ferrari will give FM a one year extension for 2013 with an option for longer, I think he deserves this opportunity. Before his accident in hungary Massa was one of the quickest drivers on the circuit, then he came back and its not been easy for him, But over recent races he is showing some good form and deserves his seat.

[Alonsomaniac]

And don't forget the most crucially important bit - they look like Bert and Ernie.

How could I forget to mention that.....

[Nova]

And don't forget the most crucially important bit - they look like Bert and Ernie.

Whose Bert n Ernie? Or should I say which Bert n Ernie?

[Dino]

And the mind games begin.................
F1 | Vettel: Massa può essere più veloce di Alonso

10 ottobre 2012 – Punzecchiare Alonso, leader in Ferrari, è una strategia che Vettel usa per incrementare la pressione nella rincorsa al titolo ma, in considerazione del fatto che lui potrebbe arrivare in Ferrari nel 2014, il tedesco ha messo in dubbio l’equa gestione dei piloti a Maranello.

L’attuale campione del mondo, vincitore dell’ultimo GP in Giappone, ha espresso un parere positivo su Felipe Massa:

“Mi piace molto Felipe come persona e lo rispetto come pilota. Molti dimenticano che ha perso il titolo di un solo punto nel 2008″

Poi il confronto con Alonso e i dubbi del perchè tra i due ci sia una differenza madornale, nonostante Felipe abbia dimostrato in passato di essere tra i più veloci della pista:

” Con tutto il rispetto per Fernando, penso che Felipe sia veloce e possa esserlo più di lui. Peró non capisco perchè la differenza tra i due è cosi grande”

“Ha gareggiato con ottimi piloti come Michael e Kimi ed é sempre stato veloce. Io non sono un pilota Ferrari e non so come stanno le cose li“

La realtà a Maranello è che Fernando è stato in grado di creare una squadra attorno a lui, così come ha spiegato recentemente Jenson Button. Dì per sé la Ferrari ha sempre ragionato con una gerarchia interna, ma pare che questo non sia di gradimento a Vettel: puó allora la dichiarazione del tedesco essere vista come un avvertimento per gli uomini di Maranello che puntano a portarlo in Italia?
http://www.f1passion.it/2012/10/f1-v...oce-di-alonso/

[Tifoso84]

Whose Bert n Ernie? Or should I say which Bert n Ernie?

Bert and Ernie...
bert-and-ernie.jpg

[Hornet]

You know you are old when you can recognize them.

[Nova]

Naw, I was referring to the cop and the taxi driver in "Its a Wonderful Life"..
my mistake.

[Nova]

Sebastian Vettel has stated he does not "understand" why Felipe Massa has struggled so much alongside Fernando Alonso at Ferrari.

The 2012 championship looks set to be a head-to-head contest between Red Bull's Vettel and Ferrari No. 1 Alonso.

But with Ferrari still yet to sign up Alonso's teammate Felipe Massa for 2013, German Vettel has revealed some of his feelings about the situation inside the great Italian team.

When asked by Folha de S.Paulo newspaper about Brazilian Massa's lean years between 2010 and 2012, the reigning back-to-back World Champion answered: "I don't understand.

"I really like Felipe as a person and respect him a lot as a driver.

"Many people forget how much he has won and that he lost a title by one point to Lewis (Hamilton).

"Had he been champion, people would talk very differently about him.

"I don't understand why he has suffered so much in recent years," added Vettel.

Massa, of course, has come back from his near-fatal Budapest qualifying crash of 2009, insisting that — physiologically at least — he is just the same as when he went head-to-head for the title against Hamilton.

But also in 2008, Massa was the standout Ferrari driver alongside the then reigning World Champion Kimi Raikkonen.

And two years earlier, Massa was regarded as more than a match for his then teammate Michael Schumacher, who was ending his ultra-successful first career on a high.

Vettel said: "With all due respect to Fernando, I think Felipe can be as fast or sometimes even faster than him. But then I don't always understand why the difference between them is so great.

"In the past Felipe has competed with very good drivers like Michael and Kimi, and has always been fast, so I don't understand. But I'm not a Ferrari driver and so I don't know how things are there.

[Curbs]

Same Vettel also said Ferrari has the best car....

http://thef1times.com/the-paddock/display/06839

Has Felipe Massa really improved?
Wednesday 10th October 2012, 17:45 by Daniel Chalmers

There are strong indications that Felipe Massa is going to be keeping his drive next year, and by the time you read this it may already have been announced.

Looking at his results over the last few races there is a perception that he has improved massively lately. However when you look back at previous events in more detail, I don’t think he has made as much of a step forward as many think he has. I am still of the opinion that Ferrari need to change their second driver.

His better run of form started back in Spa so that’s where we are going to start. In that race he failed to reach Q3 and qualified all the way down in 14th. In the race he drove well to fight back to fifth position.

However he benefited enormously from the turn one accident. In that pile up Fernando Alonso, Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton all ended up in retirement. Kamui Kobayashi managed to have his damage repaired but lost a lot of ground. Pastor Maldonado retired from the race on lap four.

Without the collision I would have put money on at least five of those drivers finishing ahead of Massa. I think instead of fifth place, Felipe probably would have only just made it into the top 10 and a points paying position.

In Italy, Massa qualified in a very respectable third position. However part of the reason for that is Ferrari were simply awesome that weekend. Alonso would very likely have been on pole had it not been for a technical issue on the car in Q3. He was sure he could have gone half a second quicker than Hamilton’s pole time, and it's hard to take issue with him. Even Lewis was shocked his time was good enough for pole.

Ferrari was fast enough to beat McLaren for race victory. What Ferrari really needed Massa to do was to stop Lewis Hamilton from scoring the full 25 points. However as the race went on his pace dropped off. Alonso came back from tenth place to get himself into a position, where Felipe had to let him through.

In Singapore it’s true to say that Felipe produced a very spirited drive to fight back to eighth place after a first lap puncture. However the truth of the matter is he had another bad qualifying failing to reach Q3 again, starting down in 13th. When you are in that danger zone in the midfield, you run the risk of getting a puncture or losing part of your bodywork.

Then we go to Suzuka where Massa got his strongest result since the Korean GP back in 2010, finishing second. However again he failed to reach Q3 in Japan. The podium in the race had an element of fortune like his fifth place back in Spa.

The start was very messy. Firstly there was the contact between Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen on the run down to turn one. Then Grosjean hit the rear of Mark Webber’s car putting him into spin ensuring all hell broke loose.

Felipe managed to avoid the incidents and used the chaos to help him emerge from scene in fourth place. To be fair he did then earn second place on merit by leapfrogging Kobayashi and Button during the race.

However had everyone behaved themselves at the start he wouldn’t have been able to make up so many places on lap one. Therefore I think without benefiting from the lap one chaos, he would have struggled to make it anywhere near the podium.

There is an argument that in actual fact there has only been a few tenths between Felipe and Fernando at times in 2012. Go back to a year where the grid was more spread out, and chances are the pair would have nearer to each other on the grid more regularly

However this is 2012 and the fact of the matter is its mighty close. As a driver you have be fast enough to be able to deal with that, and make sure you are still right in the mix with your team mate.

With stable regulations for 2013 you would imagine the grid is going to mega close once again. Therefore Massa will probably just endure the same problem.

The most telling stat of Massa’s season is that he has only scored 35.6% of Alonso’s points.Ferrari won’t win the constructor’s championship like that, which I am sure all the mechanics must be so desperate to win. Winning the WCC also brings a huge financial reward to the team. The title can also be used as a strong marketing tool to sell more road cars.

For me Massa staying at Ferrari another year will act as confirmation that Sebastian Vettel will be joining the team in 2014. At least Ferrari can use recent results to justify extending his contract though.

However if I was Stefano Domenicali I would be giving Nico Hulkenberg or Paul Di Resta a chance next year. They are both super talented and I doubt they would do worse than Massa. Chances are they could do much better, which why I would take that chance on one of them.

I think Ferrari and Massa parting company could be a great move for both sides. Felipe in particularly could find himself a new leash of life at team in the midfield, away from the Alonso dominated Ferrari.

[Giallo 550]

Same Vettel also said Ferrari has the best car....

http://thef1times.com/the-paddock/display/06839

Has Felipe Massa really improved?
Wednesday 10th October 2012, 17:45 by Daniel Chalmers

There are strong indications that Felipe Massa is going to be keeping his drive next year, and by the time you read this it may already have been announced.

Looking at his results over the last few races there is a perception that he has improved massively lately. However when you look back at previous events in more detail, I don’t think he has made as much of a step forward as many think he has. I am still of the opinion that Ferrari need to change their second driver.

His better run of form started back in Spa so that’s where we are going to start. In that race he failed to reach Q3 and qualified all the way down in 14th. In the race he drove well to fight back to fifth position.

However he benefited enormously from the turn one accident. In that pile up Fernando Alonso, Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton all ended up in retirement. Kamui Kobayashi managed to have his damage repaired but lost a lot of ground. Pastor Maldonado retired from the race on lap four.

Without the collision I would have put money on at least five of those drivers finishing ahead of Massa. I think instead of fifth place, Felipe probably would have only just made it into the top 10 and a points paying position.

In Italy, Massa qualified in a very respectable third position. However part of the reason for that is Ferrari were simply awesome that weekend. Alonso would very likely have been on pole had it not been for a technical issue on the car in Q3. He was sure he could have gone half a second quicker than Hamilton’s pole time, and it's hard to take issue with him. Even Lewis was shocked his time was good enough for pole.

Ferrari was fast enough to beat McLaren for race victory. What Ferrari really needed Massa to do was to stop Lewis Hamilton from scoring the full 25 points. However as the race went on his pace dropped off. Alonso came back from tenth place to get himself into a position, where Felipe had to let him through.

In Singapore it’s true to say that Felipe produced a very spirited drive to fight back to eighth place after a first lap puncture. However the truth of the matter is he had another bad qualifying failing to reach Q3 again, starting down in 13th. When you are in that danger zone in the midfield, you run the risk of getting a puncture or losing part of your bodywork.

Then we go to Suzuka where Massa got his strongest result since the Korean GP back in 2010, finishing second. However again he failed to reach Q3 in Japan. The podium in the race had an element of fortune like his fifth place back in Spa.

The start was very messy. Firstly there was the contact between Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen on the run down to turn one. Then Grosjean hit the rear of Mark Webber’s car putting him into spin ensuring all hell broke loose.

Felipe managed to avoid the incidents and used the chaos to help him emerge from scene in fourth place. To be fair he did then earn second place on merit by leapfrogging Kobayashi and Button during the race.

However had everyone behaved themselves at the start he wouldn’t have been able to make up so many places on lap one. Therefore I think without benefiting from the lap one chaos, he would have struggled to make it anywhere near the podium.

There is an argument that in actual fact there has only been a few tenths between Felipe and Fernando at times in 2012. Go back to a year where the grid was more spread out, and chances are the pair would have nearer to each other on the grid more regularly

However this is 2012 and the fact of the matter is its mighty close. As a driver you have be fast enough to be able to deal with that, and make sure you are still right in the mix with your team mate.

With stable regulations for 2013 you would imagine the grid is going to mega close once again. Therefore Massa will probably just endure the same problem.

The most telling stat of Massa’s season is that he has only scored 35.6% of Alonso’s points.Ferrari won’t win the constructor’s championship like that, which I am sure all the mechanics must be so desperate to win. Winning the WCC also brings a huge financial reward to the team. The title can also be used as a strong marketing tool to sell more road cars.

For me Massa staying at Ferrari another year will act as confirmation that Sebastian Vettel will be joining the team in 2014. At least Ferrari can use recent results to justify extending his contract though.

However if I was Stefano Domenicali I would be giving Nico Hulkenberg or Paul Di Resta a chance next year. They are both super talented and I doubt they would do worse than Massa. Chances are they could do much better, which why I would take that chance on one of them.

I think Ferrari and Massa parting company could be a great move for both sides. Felipe in particularly could find himself a new leash of life at team in the midfield, away from the Alonso dominated Ferrari.

What a hack! Maybe that's the reason why Chalmers isn't the one deciding who Fernando's partner is going to be next season? When Felipe had bad luck, it was said he drove poorly, when he drives well, it's because he got lucky. Funny how he doesn't mention that he gets some of the best starts on the grid! The story's always spun to make him out to be a sub-par driver. Here's the tool bag's Twitter - https://twitter.com/dchalmersf1

[Curbs]

You don´t have bad luck for över 3 years...
Felipe has no results what so ever to justify his seat. If Ferrari keep him and act like a brazilian daycare for children just so he can have some fun, then we have some serious problems other than a broken windtunnel.

[aroutis]

Same Vettel also said Ferrari has the best car....

http://thef1times.com/the-paddock/display/06839

Has Felipe Massa really improved?
Wednesday 10th October 2012, 17:45 by Daniel Chalmers

There are strong indications that Felipe Massa is going to be keeping his drive next year, and by the time you read this it may already have been announced.

Looking at his results over the last few races there is a perception that he has improved massively lately. However when you look back at previous events in more detail, I don’t think he has made as much of a step forward as many think he has. I am still of the opinion that Ferrari need to change their second driver.

His better run of form started back in Spa so that’s where we are going to start. In that race he failed to reach Q3 and qualified all the way down in 14th. In the race he drove well to fight back to fifth position.

However he benefited enormously from the turn one accident. In that pile up Fernando Alonso, Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton all ended up in retirement. Kamui Kobayashi managed to have his damage repaired but lost a lot of ground. Pastor Maldonado retired from the race on lap four.

Without the collision I would have put money on at least five of those drivers finishing ahead of Massa. I think instead of fifth place, Felipe probably would have only just made it into the top 10 and a points paying position.

In Italy, Massa qualified in a very respectable third position. However part of the reason for that is Ferrari were simply awesome that weekend. Alonso would very likely have been on pole had it not been for a technical issue on the car in Q3. He was sure he could have gone half a second quicker than Hamilton’s pole time, and it's hard to take issue with him. Even Lewis was shocked his time was good enough for pole.

Ferrari was fast enough to beat McLaren for race victory. What Ferrari really needed Massa to do was to stop Lewis Hamilton from scoring the full 25 points. However as the race went on his pace dropped off. Alonso came back from tenth place to get himself into a position, where Felipe had to let him through.

In Singapore it’s true to say that Felipe produced a very spirited drive to fight back to eighth place after a first lap puncture. However the truth of the matter is he had another bad qualifying failing to reach Q3 again, starting down in 13th. When you are in that danger zone in the midfield, you run the risk of getting a puncture or losing part of your bodywork.

Then we go to Suzuka where Massa got his strongest result since the Korean GP back in 2010, finishing second. However again he failed to reach Q3 in Japan. The podium in the race had an element of fortune like his fifth place back in Spa.

The start was very messy. Firstly there was the contact between Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen on the run down to turn one. Then Grosjean hit the rear of Mark Webber’s car putting him into spin ensuring all hell broke loose.

Felipe managed to avoid the incidents and used the chaos to help him emerge from scene in fourth place. To be fair he did then earn second place on merit by leapfrogging Kobayashi and Button during the race.

However had everyone behaved themselves at the start he wouldn’t have been able to make up so many places on lap one. Therefore I think without benefiting from the lap one chaos, he would have struggled to make it anywhere near the podium.

There is an argument that in actual fact there has only been a few tenths between Felipe and Fernando at times in 2012. Go back to a year where the grid was more spread out, and chances are the pair would have nearer to each other on the grid more regularly

However this is 2012 and the fact of the matter is its mighty close. As a driver you have be fast enough to be able to deal with that, and make sure you are still right in the mix with your team mate.

With stable regulations for 2013 you would imagine the grid is going to mega close once again. Therefore Massa will probably just endure the same problem.

The most telling stat of Massa’s season is that he has only scored 35.6% of Alonso’s points.Ferrari won’t win the constructor’s championship like that, which I am sure all the mechanics must be so desperate to win. Winning the WCC also brings a huge financial reward to the team. The title can also be used as a strong marketing tool to sell more road cars.

For me Massa staying at Ferrari another year will act as confirmation that Sebastian Vettel will be joining the team in 2014. At least Ferrari can use recent results to justify extending his contract though.

However if I was Stefano Domenicali I would be giving Nico Hulkenberg or Paul Di Resta a chance next year. They are both super talented and I doubt they would do worse than Massa. Chances are they could do much better, which why I would take that chance on one of them.

I think Ferrari and Massa parting company could be a great move for both sides. Felipe in particularly could find himself a new leash of life at team in the midfield, away from the Alonso dominated Ferrari.

I am sorry but he has a point.