I really like this guy, but he was simply awful in Australia. In all practice sessions, in qualifying and in the race Alonso consistently outperformed him. Massa defended well against Button but apart from that he was useless. He doesn't look like the driver that he was in 2008. I don't think his crash is to blame for the poor driving, I think it's a combination of low confidence and Alonso being the superior driver. But whatever the reason for his poor driving, he is not performing like a Ferrari driver should. I know he had a weaker strategy in the race compared to Alonso, but he was also consistently slower throughout the weekend. Ferrari will not retain him for much longer if he drives like that. After all the pre-season talk about his confidence on Pirelli's, you would expect him to perform well. He didn't deserve 7th in the race. Even before he made his third pit stop, Perez was catching him. Maybe it's a bit too early to say this, but does Massa deserve to stay at Ferrari? Or should Domenicali start searching for a mid-season replacement?
Who would replace him? Hulkenberg, maybe? I think Massa will be there until the end of the season, I'd like to see Kubica in a Ferrari but apparently Alonso vetoed a move for him.
Fisichella's even worse, he was terrible when he replaced him before. I can't see them getting someone out of a current race seat mid season either.
I don't think massa staying at Ferrari will help him or the team. But atm as people have said there is nobody to replace him.
He was doing alright until he was told to move over for his team mate ON THE FIRST RACE! We know he doesn't like that so it wouldn't surprise me if he dropped off as a massive **** you to the the team. Yes he should leave Ferrari. He's come the closest to winning the WDC since Schumacher and he gets treated as Alonso's bitch.
Definitely not now, possible at the end of the season. What Ferrari need is a good, fast driver that doesn't mind not being in the spotlight. Any driver who moves to Ferrari now will know that the'll be No. 2 to Alonso, it's just finding somebody that quick but able to step aside for Alonso. Kubica would be too good, I think Kobayashi could be a potential candidate (psycho as he is!)
I would like Ferrari to give him the chance this season but if the results aren't there i would like someone like Sutil, Kobayashi, Hulkenburg or even Rosberg given the chance.
I really don't think changing drivers now is a good idea, especially since they won't be able to test the car. Its only one race into the season, but if Massa can't at least stick with Alonso then Ferrari should think of a change next winter. Sutil would get my vote at the moment, but that may change by November.
I didn't mean Massa should get replaced straight away, just that if his performances remain at the level seen in Australia, that he should be replaced mid-season. It is tough to say who (if anyone) should be his replacement, but Massa was one of the worst drivers at Australia. I know the car wasn't easy to handle, but spinning in Q3? Ferrari shouldn't have to put up with such a poor display of driving. McWilliams, Where did you get this idea that it was a team order? Massa got a poor exit out of turn 12 because of Jenson Button. That allowed Alonso to catch up to him, but Massa had the inside line for turn 13 to defend. Unfortunately Massa went wide at the corner and Alonso had the quicker turn into the corner and got the inside line for the next corner. Sure Massa didn't defend very hard, but there wasn't much of an opportunity to.
I would of thought it would be Perez to replace Massa next year if given the option. The kid is part of the Ferrari driver academy, so if he keeps performing he will be wearing red while Massa goes the other way.
I agree and it also gave Ferrari the opportunity to get both cars in front of the Mclaren as Jensen would of have to give way to Massa due to the cutting of the corner. Meant more points for Ferrari. However I dont feel it was a team order for the reasons stated above. Cheers
Massa is clearly performing the traditional Ferrari role perfected by Barichello and Irvine Already we see the team including Massa working for Alonso. Race strategy for Massa designed to test and support Alonso's, the obvious spirited defence holding off Button and then slowing after dropping behind. Massa is not allowed to be as fast as Alonso, it's naive to think otherwise when considering how much money was spent in getting Alonsos services and the clear precedent set with MS Oh yes, let's not forget Germany 2010 even before it was legal to do so. As if Alonso will allow Kobayashi or Perez to join, Massa is perfect, any one faster would be even more disruptive for the balance of the team, Massa was on his way out till the accident, now he is a father and he has a Barichello deal at Ferrari? Rock the boat by beating Alonso? Or show his talent by blocking Button? Let's not forget that Massa matched and beat Alonso several times at the start of 2010
Yes Massa made a good start to 2010, but by Germany he was being thrashed. What do you think that now he is a no 2 he will deliberatly go slow? He is not able to go as fast as Alonso.
Button is not as fast as Hamilton but he is allowed to race, been faster is not all there is to F1 This creates good dynamic in the team, Hamilton is able to get to the edge of his performance because he has a reference point in the same car. When the number two is mentally shackled the team is weaker because all eggs are in one basket. Alonso could become complacent and lazy. He might not feel the need to 'use all his talent' in races and sit back expecting his rivals to move over
Backing both drivers is beneficial, in general. Of course backing both can cost you the WDC but if you get it right you can win the WDC and WCC. Button seems to benefit in the races where the pack gets thrown around and brings a different style to the team from Hamilton. Massa seems a damaged man, he's been put down and held back for Alonso in the past and his head has definitely dropped. He seems like he's almost hoping to luck into a position where the team have to back him. He needs to get out of Ferrari and show the world he still has the ability to fight for podiums.
I think Massa's basic problem is in his head, unfortunately he's convinced himself he's a support act for Alonso, sadly I think he will find it very difficult to pull himself out of the hole he has created. Another problem is, which other top team is looking for another driver who is mentally falable, that bump on the head did him no favours either. Poor old Massa is between a rock and a hard place, and only he can get himself out of it.
Some very good points here in my opinion. Massa is indeed between a rock and a hard place. The way he is performing at the moment is doing his stock value no good whatsoever and, with the possible exception of one of the bottom teams, I cannot see anyone asking for his services. F1 is no place for losers and Massa has all the look of a thoroughly beaten man. But there is another side to this coin, noted by CookinFlat6: Massa fits in with the Ferrari ethos as a 'support driver' rather well; and in my opinion, no self-respecting up-and-coming driver will volunteer to jeopardise his own future status in order to fill a vacant seat, simply for a large handful of Ferrari's outdated lira. Putting this another way, Ferrari have repeatedly shown that they actually seek out a patsy for their chosen one. In this sense, all Massa needs to do is keep his nose ahead of the test driver. Kubiça would be daft to return under Alonso's red wing; like Kobayashi he would instantly wave goodbye to his ambitions. Ferrari's number two seat is the domain of patsies or drivers who've just been weened from rookie status. For that reason, Perez might be tempted, but if I were forced to place a bet right now, my money would on be Petrov.
