No one better on market to replace me – Massa

**Hornet** · 30th September 2012, 09:14

Originally Posted by Giallo 550

Does anyone else think it's far too early to predict who will be number 1 at Ferrari after Fernando retires? He's signed until 2016, and there's always the possibility that he continues to drive for Ferrari after that. We still have the rest of '12, '13, '14, '15, and '16 left, so why don't we concentrate on now instead of 4.3 seasons in the future?

Ferrari is concentrating with what they are doing now so I'm not sure what you mean there. But Stefano have mention about the possibility of running a young driver alongside a strong driver. 4 years is not exactly long to build up a young driver. Ferrari have nothing to lose if they can someday secure a young talent, put him beside Alonso and let him grow in Ferrari. Obviously any young talent Ferrari choose have to be a very talented driver, not just any young driver, and that's the hard part.

I don't know how Luca DM will do it if he's serious about bringing in Vettel in 2014, else I believe the young talent is the future.

**Sianellen** · 30th September 2012, 10:33

Originally Posted by Giallo 550

Does anyone else think it's far too early to predict who will be number 1 at Ferrari after Fernando retires? He's signed until 2016, and there's always the possibility that he continues to drive for Ferrari after that. We still have the rest of '12, '13, '14, '15, and '16 left, so why don't we concentrate on now instead of 4.3 seasons in the future?

As a hypothetical I would say yeah it is still too early for now. I think with the signing of Perez to Mclaren we are seeing the next stage of F1 drivers begin to get into the top teams but I don't think there are enough younger guys in this position yet. When Fernando retires Button, Schumi, Felipe, Webber and Kimi are likely to have already retired so there are quite a number of voids that would need filling. It would be very hard at this stage to predict anyone.

**brembo man** · 30th September 2012, 11:41

Originally Posted by F2002

And, I suspect, Bruno Senna.

MY favorite choice also. I hope your right. Pastor and his car got it right once and hooked up a one shot 25 points. Bruno up to 24 points the hard way. Last race in the points and after going out dnf in 11 place , Webbers penalty would have put him back in 10th. Williams is a tough ride for both drivers.

**CurdaNeta** · 30th September 2012, 13:03

Maldonado's contract with Williams is until 2015. He's (sponsors) paying Williams $15m a year till 2015, according to rumors...

**Rob** · 30th September 2012, 13:22

Ferrari denies Massa and renewed
Could be probing to Nico Hulkenberg and Paul Di Resta
MARCO CANSECO 30/09/12 - 12:15.

Following changes in the grid and the arrival of Lewis Hamilton and Checo Perez Mercedes McLaren, a move expected to possible renewal Ferrari of Felipe Massa. Although it has been given in the last hours made in some media, Ferrari has denied this possibility.

"Not true. Felipe has not signed anything yet," a Ferrari spokesman confirmed to brand. The issue is whether there will be an imminent announcement of renewal for one year from the Sao Paulo pilot. The 'Scuderia' still driving the continuity of Massa as a likely option, but prefer to wait for the end of season results to confirm.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport ', in Maranello could be probing to Nico Hulkenberg and Paul Di Resta to drive next year, should there be the final decision to dispense with the current language partner Fernando Alonso. The newspaper also prefers Milan Sebastian Vettel as the most likely to drive alongside Spanish in 2014.

http://www.marca.com/2012/09/30/moto...349000101.html

**Ken** · 30th September 2012, 14:25

More stirring of the pot of confusion,

This is getting shades of the Ramilton saga.

**Nova** · 30th September 2012, 14:42

Originally Posted by CurdaNeta

Maldonado's contract with Williams is until 2015. He's (sponsors) paying Williams $15m a year till 2015, according to rumors...

Heck, they could pay me 1/2 that, n he could drive my car as much as he wants

**scuderiaferrari** · 30th September 2012, 17:23

Replace massa with schumi makes sense

**Giallo 550** · 30th September 2012, 18:09

Originally Posted by Hornet

Ferrari is concentrating with what they are doing now so I'm not sure what you mean there. But Stefano have mention about the possibility of running a young driver alongside a strong driver. 4 years is not exactly long to build up a young driver. Ferrari have nothing to lose if they can someday secure a young talent, put him beside Alonso and let him grow in Ferrari. Obviously any young talent Ferrari choose have to be a very talented driver, not just any young driver, and that's the hard part.

I don't know how Luca DM will do it if he's serious about bringing in Vettel in 2014, else I believe the young talent is the future.

I'm just saying it's premature to be discussing Alonso's replacement at this stage of the game. When I said "we", I meant TSN, not SF.

**wisepie** · 30th September 2012, 18:34

Felipe will win in Suzuka and that should make the decision for them, if it's not already made! We can but dream, oh and a DNF for anything with a Merc or Renault engine. This subject is doing my head in as it's all supposition and personal taste, but I'm sticking with what we already have as they're the tops.

**SS454** · 30th September 2012, 18:35

With Massa not signed, Perez at McLaren, and no real future prospects ready for next season. Schumacher is a legit fill in for one season if you ask me.

**Hornet** · 30th September 2012, 18:54

Originally Posted by Giallo 550

I'm just saying it's premature to be discussing Alonso's replacement at this stage of the game. When I said "we", I meant TSN, not SF.

Of course, we can't predict right now who will fill Alonso's shoe when the time comes. Its just that Stefano have once said that Ferrari may consider putting a young upcoming talent alongside Alonso. We don't know when Ferrari will bring is this young talent. 2014, 2015, we don't know. But with the signing of Perez with McLaren, it sort of brought this up again because many expected Ferrari to bring Perez as said young talent. So now the question is who will Luca bring in when the time comes.

Lets say if Luca DM is bringing this young talent in in 2014. You're right there's no way of telling if this is the guy who will take Alonso's place someday. But that's not the point. The point is this selection of young driver that will happen very soon. Alonso's retirement may be 4 years away or more, but not this selection of young talent.

This selection will happen very soon, within 1-2 years time IMO.

**scuderiaferrari** · 30th September 2012, 19:34

Schumi signs for 2013 and Vettel joins in 2014 makes a lot of sense.

**killer** · 1st October 2012, 00:57

Come on, Ferrari: leave the drama series BS to McLaren and Mercedes.

**Hornet** · 1st October 2012, 05:25

Originally Posted by killer

Come on, Ferrari: leave the drama series BS to McLaren and Mercedes.

I doubt Luca DM is intentionally delaying things to create drama.

**Poltergeistes** · 1st October 2012, 06:09

Originally Posted by Hornet

I doubt Luca DM is intentionally delaying things to create drama.

...and this is why Ferrari can't ever bring in a rookie, or even a too young driver, tell me who can take this kind of pressure that felipe has right now? he might stay in ferrari IF he doesn't make a mistake for the rest of the season? it feels like just staying at ferrari is so hard, no matter when, if the team has won WDC and WCC or not. this is certainly the couple of years for nando to win his share of championships. when we think about it, it's a real feat that felipe has done, staying a ferrari driver for that long is almost impossible, 7 years, it's amazing, i think he deserves at least some respect, there is no way a no good driver could do it for all this time.

**killer** · 1st October 2012, 07:49

Originally Posted by Hornet

I doubt Luca DM is intentionally delaying things to create drama.

Most probably, but it may very well be counterproductive if it goes on any longer. Thing is he has no issue with telling Felipe to shape up or ship out so why hang an axe over his head with 6 crucial races to go? Also, if LDM finds it's quite the quandary to decide on Felipe, maybe the answer is right in front of him.

**Pekka** · 1st October 2012, 12:25

La Stampa is still saying that Kimi will come to Ferrari in 2013..

**Hornet** · 1st October 2012, 12:40

Lotus have been reported to have finalize their driver's lineup which is the same, and its just a matter of announcement. Doubt Kimi and Grosjean is going anywhere

**Greig** · 1st October 2012, 12:56

Originally Posted by Pekka

La Stampa is still saying that Kimi will come to Ferrari in 2013..

**Pekka** · 1st October 2012, 13:16

Originally Posted by Greig

http://lastampa.it/2012/09/30/sport/...OuI/index.html

**Katu** · 1st October 2012, 13:31

some will say whatever to get people clicking on their news

**Red passion** · 1st October 2012, 13:45

Originally Posted by Katu

some will say whatever to get people clicking on their news

Pic to Ferrari

**racingbradley** · 1st October 2012, 15:09

I just wonder what is holding Luca back from re-signing Felipe.

Is he waiting for A N other to become available?
He was full of praise for Felipe on Thursday at the Paris motor show.

When asked about Felipe Massa, Luca di Montezemolo said at the Paris motor show: "I hope that the progress we have seen since Spa, on the results side but also psychologically, are confirmed in Japan."

"He also impresses me for three reasons; the interpretation of the race and especially the tyre wear, his great motivational influence on the team, and his (regular) presence at Maranello," he added.

Come on Luca find that pen and S I G N

**Hornet** · 1st October 2012, 16:28

Well, for the record I think Massa will be retained by Ferrari, at least for a year.

But just to play the devil's advocate for a moment, up till now we've all assume that Massa is waiting at the Ferrari table with a pen in his hand. What if, Massa is talking to other teams too?

Sauber now have an opening which presents an opportunity for any drivers looking for a strong team. What if, Ferrari offers Massa 1 year but Sauber offers him a long term contract? I think Massa might take a hard look at his option in that hypothetical situation.

**Hermann** · 1st October 2012, 16:50

Originally Posted by Hornet

Well, for the record I think Massa will be retained by Ferrari, at least for a year.

But just to play the devil's advocate for a moment, up till now we've all assume that Massa is waiting at the Ferrari table with a pen in his hand. What if, Massa is talking to other teams too?

Sauber now have an opening which presents an opportunity for any drivers looking for a strong team. What if, Ferrari offers Massa 1 year but Sauber offers him a long term contract? I think Massa might take a hard look at his option in that hypothetical situation.

Something is telling me Sauber would be more interested in Schumacher.

**LightAmaterasu** · 1st October 2012, 16:57

Too much suspense around massa! I can't take it anymore!

I'm impatient as everrr. Luca, pleeez make your decision fast

**racingbradley** · 1st October 2012, 17:21

Originally Posted by Hornet

Well, for the record I think Massa will be retained by Ferrari, at least for a year.

But just to play the devil's advocate for a moment, up till now we've all assume that Massa is waiting at the Ferrari table with a pen in his hand. What if, Massa is talking to other teams too?

Well then I wish they would all make up their minds and get on with it.

The suspense is killing me.