He's like an aging boxer standing in the ring getting punched in the face by his opponent at will, while the ref stands in the middle wondering if he should stop the fight. The thing is last time Ferrari changed drivers they ended up with someone worse. This statement from Ferrari will either fire him up or make him worse (if possible). I really don't think he has it in him any more (F1), he seems to be fast at the start of a GP, then just fades away as the race goes on, and this has been the case in almost every race since his comeback. Maybe it's time to brush up on his German and join DTM. as for a reserve, how about Heidfeld? probably the best and most experienced driver out of F1
Whilst I agree with the rest of your post I'm a little puzzled as to what you mean here; can't tell if you're referring to Badoer's replacing Massa mid-2009 or something I'm missing, but the last three driver changes at Ferrari (Massa for Barichello, Raikkonen for Schumacher, and Alonso for Raikkonen) have as far as I remember been quite positive.
The last midseason replacement was a disaster, however, the previous 2 weren't so bad. Larini did a better job than Capelli in 92, and filled in well for Berger in 94, and Morbidelli didn't do so badly replcing prost in 91.
There was also Salo in 1999 who did quite well. Badoer can't really be counted because his jumping in the car was neither planned nor intended initially (because of course Schumi was going to do it) - he was a last minute panicky scramble "GET SOMEONE IN THE CAR" deal. I still maintain Fisichella didn't do too badly either considering he had to adapt to using KERS again.
I forgot about Salo. Biggest victim of team oreders ever, should have won a race in 99, had to give it to ****ing Irvine for his half arsed championship bid.
22 people think Massa does not belong in F1 at all? I certainly think he does not belong at Ferrari but I think he can still do a good job at a midfield team.
Schumacher is, yes. Massa is still good enough to be in F1, look at Grosjean, he had Alonso as a team mate, got ****ed, and now its Kimi, and keeping up with him.
Really? he's doing an average midfield job in a top 3 car. As to the replacement, I meant Raikonnen out and Fisichella in, that was not a good swap.
I think it was Badoer, then Fisi for Massa when he got smacked in the head. Kimi won in Spa if memory serves, whilst Luca was busy lifting off in Au Rouge..
I was going to be MS, Imagin that? that would of put pay to his carear earlier and Button may have stayed at Brawn/Mercedes. Rosberg or Raikkonen may of got the Mclaren seat and Villeneurve may of found himself a seat at Lotus Racing/Caterham. Some weird butterfly effect there!!
There's also a post-race interview with Domenicali where he says: "I expect an excellent race [from Massa] in Monte Carlo because we need him to take points for the constructors' championship, which is very difficult." The message is very clear: If Massa doesn't improve, he won't finish the season at Ferrari.
I'd agree with Fred that this is slightly more applicable to Schumacher; although of course, any new space for an F1 driver is more likely to be filled by a younger driver.
Looks like the pressure is building now for Massa! http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12474/7760040/Ferrari-shoot-down-Massa-speculation Personally I think he should remain in F1, he just needs a new environment and focus in a midfield team where he can over perform rather than under perform!
Massa's past Monaco results 2006 - 9th 2007 - 3rd 2008 - 3rd 2009 - 4th 2010 - 4th 2011 - Ret 2012 - ? seems a good track for him
Just noticed that Massa has got Ferrari a little over 3% of its total championship points this season. That's a number to put against how bad its got.
Probably after, it's still early in the season, there is still time for him to improve (unlikely, but anything is possible)
