I didn't feel important at Ferrari anymore - Massa

[vcs316]

Felipe Massa says he has no regrets about being ousted by Ferrari. At Maranello, the Brazilian was competitive alongside the great Michael Schumacher and almost won the world championship whilst Kimi Raikkonen's teammate in 2008.

Some believe it was Massa's near-fatal crash in 2009 that subsequently hurt his form, but now fully back up to speed with Williams, the 34-year-old has another explanation. "Let's just say I did the right thing at the right time," Massa, referring to his departure after an eight-year Ferrari career in 2013, told Italy's La Repubblica. "It was time to change," he said.

Now, Massa is back on song even with the highly-rated Valtteri Bottas as his teammate, with some believing the diminutive Brazilian's pace is ultimately the reason Ferrari decided against signing the Finn for 2016. "My story with Ferrari was beautiful, intense, honest, like the applause I got (on the podium) at Monza showed. But it was time to feel important again."

Massa says his status at Ferrari slipped suddenly when Fernando Alonso was signed in 2010. "At first, yes (I was important)," he said. "Then things changed when Alonso came. I looked around and saw that suddenly I had no power over things, over the details. And our sport is made of the details."

"And you can change them only if you have the power. It's all about power, and I had lost it. The most obvious symptom was that I did not feel important anymore," Massa explained. "It was enough to see it just by making eye-contact with the people around me. It was impossible to be happy."

Massa said he thinks Ferrari's approach to the Alonso era was "wrong", but admits he also questioned himself during that period. "So many times I thought I should be less kind. Harder and selfish. But then you look at yourself and take stock."

"Many things have happened to me. I was friends with a legend like Schumacher and a golden boy like Bianchi. I went through two or three eras of the sport, I saw injustice and the worst time of my life when I was forced to let my teammate past me, but I also won a lot and above all I enjoyed. I fell often, but every time I got up. No, I would not change anything. I have always been myself, Felipe, and if that caused me some difficulty then my strength allowed me to overcome and become a man and a better father," said Massa.

Asked if he has a message to his harshest former critics, he answered: "No, because before and after they wrote nice things. Consistency is their problem. If I was going to say something bad to all those who have changed their mind, I would have no time to drive!" Massa smiled. (GMM)

[Brembo]

" I saw injstice and the "Worst time of my life " when I was forced to let my teamate past me. " Felipe is clearly saying getting hit with team orders was worse than getting hit in the face with a spring from Rubens car.

[Stormsearcher]

Clearly he didnt mind getting Kimi to move over when he was in the championship race. Sorry to say this, but looks like Felipe is as hypocritical as anyone else out there.

[Rishu]

Clearly he didnt mind getting Kimi to move over when he was in the championship race. Sorry to say this, but looks like Felipe is as hypocritical as anyone else out there.

I think you got that one wrong mate. He himself moved over so many times (For Kimi in 2007 & for Fernando on multiple occasions). Although it's natural that the 'second' driver looses importance (ask Rubens) within the team but I can understand Germany 2010 would have been bad for his confidence. I'm glad he's happy in Williams & enjoying his time.

[Brembo]

Clearly he didnt mind getting Kimi to move over when he was in the championship race. Sorry to say this, but looks like Felipe is as hypocritical as anyone else out there.

Felipe should have clearly said don't move Kimi over, team orders only should apply to me Felipe, never my teamate. Felipe hated team orders as he clearly said, he should have parked his car and quit the team rather than have them move Kimi over. How do you know he didn't mind that the team not Felipe got Kimi to move over?

[Stormy]

I don't think he minds moving away for Kimi, still that was the last race that the WDC was depending on it.
I think he is more angry about ''Alonso is faster then you'' team orders, that happened mid season.
Also the team was not letting him on the details enough, that is very frustrating. But oh well, he was payed 12 million dollars a year i think so...we should not pity him much xD

[Stormsearcher]

Felipe should have clearly said don't move Kimi over, team orders only should apply to me Felipe, never my teamate. Felipe hated team orders as he clearly said, he should have parked his car and quit the team rather than have them move Kimi over. How do you know he didn't mind that the team not Felipe got Kimi to move over?

duh. it would be the team. and not felipe. But its still a team order. And it was given to benefit the driver who was capable of winning the WDC at that point. Its sound logic.
Its the same logic when he was asked to move over for FA, who was clearly taking him apart in the head-to-head as well as points tally. So FA was the one who was in contention for the WDC. Why is that so difficult to understand?

[Silent Bob]

The first rule for drivers of any F1 team is... beat your team mate. If you can't do that consistently then you fall to a #2 driver. No need to moan, it's the natural order of things. Massa wasn't fast enough but as any driver, his ego doesn't allow him to acknowledge that so it must be the team's fault. Barrichello part two.

[Stormsearcher]

The first rule for drivers of any F1 team is... beat your team mate. If you can't do that consistently then you fall to a #2 driver. No need to moan, it's the natural order of things. Massa wasn't fast enough but as any driver, his ego doesn't allow him to acknowledge that so it must be the team's fault. Barrichello part two.

lol.. dunno about Rubens part 2, but this just sounds like hes cribbing. For all we know, he said something else and the media twisted it to sound this way.

[Giallo 550]

Good thing we axed him. Now we're winning both championships. Oh... Wait...

[Brembo]

The first rule for drivers of any F1 team is... beat your team mate. If you can't do that consistently then you fall to a #2 driver. No need to moan, it's the natural order of things. Massa wasn't fast enough but as any driver, his ego doesn't allow him to acknowledge that so it must be the team's fault. Barrichello part two.

How can a driver consistantly or occasionally get to beat his teamate which as you say is rule #1 in F1 when he's told to let him pass? To be ordered to let him pass does mean you are in a position ahead of and in front of your teamate following rule #1. How can one figure your not fast enough or it's your ego that got you up in front of your teamate, now just move over. It's especially tough on a driver to follow the order when th WDC is already in the bag. Just move over or the hell of it. "Rubens part 2"

[Brembo]

I don't think he minds moving away for Kimi, still that was the last race that the WDC was depending on it.
I think he is more angry about ''Alonso is faster then you'' team orders, that happened mid season.
Also the team was not letting him on the details enough, that is very frustrating. But oh well, he was payed 12 million dollars a year i think so...we should not pity him much xD

I guess a driver should sign up to drive free , no pay, so he doesn't fall prey to team orders because he gets paid to not drive according to the F1 rule #1. Just a thought, why not have a driver sign up with no pay but is blessed with #1 status? BTW how did Nico and Bottas not fall prey ?

[Silent Bob]

How can a driver consistantly or occasionally get to beat his teamate which as you say is rule #1 in F1 when he's told to let him pass? To be ordered to let him pass does mean you are in a position ahead of and in front of your teamate following rule #1. How can one figure your not fast enough or it's your ego that got you up in front of your teamate, now just move over. It's especially tough on a driver to follow the order when th WDC is already in the bag. Just move over or the hell of it. "Rubens part 2"

To beat your team mate you should be in front of him more than you are behind him. I think you establish yourself as #1 or #2. Massa failed to constantly beat his team mate so established himself as a clear #2. Pretty simple, when you don't deliver, the team puts its expectations on the driver that does. At that point, you move over if you are impeding the #1. I liked Barrichello, he was a great #2 driver... one of the best.

[Silent Bob]

I guess a driver should sign up to drive free , no pay, so he doesn't fall prey to team orders because he gets paid to not drive according to the F1 rule #1. Just a thought, why not have a driver sign up with no pay but is blessed with #1 status? BTW how did Nico and Bottas not fall prey ?

Might be a good idea if a driver signs up to race for free. Better yet, base salary all on performance... wins, podiums etc. Keep them motivated.

[Stormy]

I guess a driver should sign up to drive free , no pay, so he doesn't fall prey to team orders because he gets paid to not drive according to the F1 rule #1. Just a thought, why not have a driver sign up with no pay but is blessed with #1 status? BTW how did Nico and Bottas not fall prey ?

Why are you twisting my words and making a drama out of it?
All i said was that he gets payed 12M$ per year, and that can be а little consolation to him. 12M$!!!!!
And of course the number one driver will be payed more, Alonso was payed 30M$ at Ferrari if i'm not mistaken.

[Brembo]

Might be a good idea if a driver signs up to race for free. Better yet, base salary all on performance... wins, podiums etc. Keep them motivated.

This is the best idea yet! You should be in charge.

[abbottcostello]

There are usually two circumstances that can & usually do lead to team orders. One consideration is WDC points earned & by whom they are earned, the other consideration, almost equally as important (some argue more important!) is WCC points earned. The team is monitoring each race very closely on the pit wall & projecting likely outcomes for many scenarios. If a projection shows driver A letting his teammate, driver B past with virtually no resistance, will lead to driver B finishing higher than A is currently projected to finish, team orders will be given to maximize the total team points earned.
So it is not always the driver who leads in the standings, especially if it's early in the season or if the team leader has no realistic hope of winning the WDC.

[rochas]

I thought and still abatement that imposing team order in Germany 2010 was one of the best decision made by the team that year. They decided on Alonso as the WDC contender rather than Massa and went on maximizing the situation similar to Brazil 2007, all in the name of the greater good of the team. It was a bold move as it was borderline illegal, and if Alonso would've lost the championship by 7 points then Ferrari would've looked pretty bad.

[Stormy]

There are usually two circumstances that can & usually do lead to team orders. One consideration is WDC points earned & by whom they are earned, the other consideration, almost equally as important (some argue more important!) is WCC points earned. The team is monitoring each race very closely on the pit wall & projecting likely outcomes for many scenarios. If a projection shows driver A letting his teammate, driver B past with virtually no resistance, will lead to driver B finishing higher than A is currently projected to finish, team orders will be given to maximize the total team points earned.
So it is not always the driver who leads in the standings, especially if it's early in the season or if the team leader has no realistic hope of winning the WDC.

Yeah, but there are other reasons also. Like for example there is also a commercial aspect. What driver will bring bigger marketing profits if he is more successful. I'm not talking about Ferrari of course i'm talking in general.

[Silent Bob]

This is the best idea yet! You should be in charge.

Vote for me Brembo!! You can be my #2.

[Brembo]

Hey Abbott !! If driver A switches with B, say A in1st lets B who's in2nd be in 1st and he becomes 2nd, the team gets the same points WCC . How can you forget how "Who's on First " goes ?

[abbottcostello]

"I don't know!"

"Third place"

[Nomore]

A great driver and a nice guy. Felipe (apart from a Ferrari driver) was really a Ferrari fan. Unfortunately in the post 2010 era he drove uncompetitive cars and saw the podium every few times, plus he was paired with the very best driver of his generation.
Now with a normal one (which many regard as great) he is doing very well.

Come to Ferrari Felipe :)

[fratelliferrari]

A great driver and a nice guy. Felipe (apart from a Ferrari driver) was really a Ferrari fan. Unfortunately in the post 2010 era he drove uncompetitive cars and saw the podium every few times, plus he was paired with the very best driver of his generation.
Now with a normal one (with many regard as great) he is doing very well.

Come to Ferrari Felipe :)

Very well said He's still a Ferrari fan of that iam sure! I saw a photo a few weeks ago of Felipe driving his F40 around Monaco and I think he also owns a LaFerrari

[Brembo]

Nomore, You couldn't have said it better!!

[Brembo]

Vote for me Brembo!! You can be my #2.

Sounds good 2 me. But I will not let anyone pass!

[wisepie]

I've only just seen this thread and believe everything that Felipe says is really how he saw it at the time, it doesn't sound bitter but obviously he was pretty hurt and felt that he was being overlooked in his capacity as a driver. It was Ferrari's loss but I don't blame Felipe for leaving and I'm more than happy that he is still competitive, and content at Williams. It's the only time I've ever really supported another team's driver, and am sorry that he had to retire today in Singapore. Forza Felipe.

[vecchiasignora]

Massa confirms what we already knew, Alonso left mclaren to a weaker team because he didn't want a competing driver ( hamilton) next to him.
Make no mistake about it, he left us to honda for same reason...once he knew his word was going to be equal with vettel. He left us for the weaker side.


When I said this guy is a cancer, i was laughed at... Alonso is a cancer.

[Giallo 550]

Massa confirms what we already knew, Alonso left mclaren to a weaker team because he didn't want a competing driver ( hamilton) next to him.
Make no mistake about it, he left us to honda for same reason...once he knew his word was going to be equal with vettel. He left us for the weaker side.


When I said this guy is a cancer, i was laughed at... Alonso is a cancer.

Sounds like you have a little thing for the guy. He left for McLaren because his patience had run out with Ferrari.

[vecchiasignora]

Sounds like you have a little thing for the guy. He left for McLaren because his patience had run out with Ferrari.

Lol, our patience run out with him. We treated him like a king here, gave him all the keys to the team. To the expense of we were a car suited to one driver.. we developed and put all our resources on him. We wasted years on him...

If we gave same treatment to kimi, massa or vettel during those 5 years. at least one title was guaranteed.

Alonso is not Schumacher level, will never be.. he never deserved what we gave him.