After a couple of bad seasons, it's becoming clearer than ever that Felipe won't reach the form he showed prior to his accident. Do you feel that he deserves another chance, or is he at the end of an ever shortening gangplank?
To be honest, I feel he has now had his day at a top team, and its time for him to step aside. Webber to replace him gets my vote
No. He lacks the motivation and he really needs to get out, I think he needs to try to get in line to the Renault garage for the replacement of Heidfeld which is likely to happen. That will be his best shot at another team. Then he may be able to get some confidence going and start becoming back to the "old" Massa. Unfortunately he wont be able to get in a top team again, unless he beats Alonso in near enough every race from now, I think he will be gone by the end of the year. His replacement? Well its too early for Perez/di Resta I think, and the Mercedes/Force India teams if i'm right havent confirmed drivers. People are saying Sutil is going to be replaced by Hulkenberg, so I think its either his or Rosberg's turn, either he goes straight to Ferrari or he goes to Mercedes and replaces Rosberg who goes to Ferrari. I can't see anyone else going, maybe Kobayashi, but will Alonso want him on the team? Maybe but maybe not.
I feel sorry for Massa. He seems like a nice bloke and never seems to have fully gotten over his injuries. I would like and hope that Ferrari retain Massa, but there are some cracking drivers out there that Ferrari should probably pick up before they have to throw the cheque book at them. Who would be happy to take a role as second fiddle to Alonso though?
Ever since Brazil 2008, when he lost the title, and handled it incredibly well, i've had a lot of respect for felipe as a person, but his driving just isn't what ferrari need or expect. It could be worse though. There was a guy in the early 90's who was woeful, i can't remember his name unfortunatley
Ferrari need to fight RBR and McLaren for the WCC next season, sorry but I dont think Felipe is that driver to help Alonso rack up the points. You might as well stick Perez in there because I'm sure he would already do a better job and keep Alonso happy for a season or 2 as number 1.
Really hard to answer. I really do Massa and hope that he will get back to the form that he was showing in 2008, and before his accident in 2009. At the moment there are flashes of it, and I get the hope back only to be disappointed again. I think that they should give him another year, and see who is available to replace him after that. If someone better is around, then put them in the car, if not then give him another year.
I always quite liked Capelli, dunno how he ever got to race for Ferrari though. As for Massa, personally I've never really rated him, good on his day but he had so many bad ones, racing alongside a long passed it Schumacher and a disinterested Raikkonen made him look good, now he has Alonso as a team-mate, fired up and in his prime, he's getting spanked 90% of the time.
I like Massa as a person and have a lot of respect for the way he has handled his various misfortunes. I believe this feeling is shared by the Ferrari team and the Italian people, and has probably gone some way towards prolonging his stay. However, it is rare for such niceties in the business of F1 and one must ask if it is this enough to continue to justify his seat. - As seen last weekend, Massa is quick on his day. Unfortunately he is not having enough 'days', as can clearly be seen by his unfavourable qualifying statistics as well as his finishing positions and points tally. He is not bringing in enough points in one of the best cars. He is making errors virtually every weekend. He does not like driving in the wet. And he sometimes seems to lack something I regard to be of vital importance: self-belief. But we must remember that Ferrari like to employ drivers which provide for a clear pecking order - in this respect, he's not letting them down!
I think the only 2 drivers that could get along with Alonso and get the points would be Button or Nico! Whats the point in paying of Massa (clear no2) for a rookie who probably wont get anymore points than Massa? Button will pinch a win or 2 and finish in around the podium most races giving you at least 200 - 250 points for the season, you will be lucky if Massa makes it past 125! Dont think Button will go though, he seems at home at Mclaren and his rep has gone up since he would be ahead of the massivley quich Hammilton without the 2 DNF's!
Yes he is probably holding the team back in terms of not scoring enough points but the big prize I dare say is the Drivers Championship so if Felipe is able to provide the backup and maintain the harmony within the team then that's all very well. Trouble is, he isn't doing much in securing points but is there anyone else who might be available who would do as well? I think Di Resta or Perez will be quick but I'm not sure they are necessarily at Massa's level. It won't take them long though. Hence I think one more year for Felipe. He had a hand on the crown in 2008 so the ability is there but up against his teammate who is the most complete driver out there, most drivers would look second best. I agree with Mr Smithers that Jense or Nico would be a good fit for Ferrari as well but would either of them go? Given the way teams come to the fore in cyclical fashion, it has to be Ferrari's day soon so that probably is something worth considering.
I think the gist of what you say here is correct Smithers but with the greatest respect, I think you are doing Button a disservice in your comparison. Personally, I would love to see Button and Alonso in the same team but I'm nigh-on certain Alonso doesn't fancy the prospect at all! And I am certain Ferrari know that he will not play second fiddle. For this reason, he's out of the equation unless they are prepared to unsettle Alonso (which I very much doubt). However, I completely agree with you about Rosberg who is a good solid driver, usually capable of placing the car where it 'should be' on the grid; properly quick but not a fighter, he capitulates too easily under pressure. These qualities would make this known-quantity who is Rosberg, the ideal choice for Alonso.
I wonder if the presence of Button will unsettle Alonso. I may be wrong but I think they get on well and perhaps Jense's calm approach could benefit Fernando too. Nico is one of my favourite drivers so I'm quite happy to see him at Ferrari. It will also be a better mount for him than Mercedes. My 2c
Poll: Is Luca right to give Felipe another Chance? Since this article, rumours about Massa's seat at Ferrari next year have stopped. But Massa has a contract for next year, so until Luca announces a replacement, he has no choice but to confirm Massa for 2012. We'll see what happens, but I don't think Massa's future at the team is secure, at the moment, therefore I cannot vote in the poll. Should Ferrari retain Felipe Massa? No. Mistakes like the spin at Hungary or the spin leaving the pitlane in Australia qualifying are silly errors that shouldn't be made by experienced drivers, or any F1 driver. Good on his day but dreadful at times. I don't think Luca can tolerate another season of that sort of driving. He said in 2010 that Massa drove like his brother and effectively warned him that 2011 was his last chance and he must improve. He hasn't improved. It doesn't help that Alonso is the better driver in almost every way.
No disservice intended, I am a big Button fan and would love him to win another WDC! I just think that he is technically the best driver that could possibly not upset the apple cart - as shown with Hammilton!
I really think Ferrari should get rid of Massa and I hope they do because he has been driving poorly for much too long and is preventing Ferrari challenging for the WCC. It must be hard being Alonso's team mate because he is so good and so determined but Massa just seems to be so meek. He is a nice guy Massa which is why I think Ferrari have kept him for so long but his time I feel has come and I hope he is replaced by Rosberg.
