FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[darwin dali]

ESPNF1:
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has ended speculation that Felipe Massa's seat may be in danger by confirming the driver line-up will remain unchanged in 2012.

Drivers such as Mark Webber and Jenson Button had been linked to the seat but di Montezemolo moved to quash those rumours on Tuesday.

"Massa and Alonso always bring something more," di Montezemolo told Sky Sports Italia. "Alonso is super, Massa is coming back: I think the drivers are not a problem. This is the time for gossip, but next year's drivers will remain Alonso and Massa."



Let the bum bashing begin

[What's Burning?]

I'm glad for both sides on this. Massa has his role to play, and his improvement has paralleled the F150's upgrades, but you've got to admire the commitment by Ferrari to their drivers. I'm sure even if Kubica or anyone else would have come into Ferrari next year, Massa would have been given a nice fat paycheck for his troubles a la Kimi.

[Hammer278]

Why change? Perfect no.1 and no.2, Massa seems to be settling in very nicely as the new Rubens. Ferrari have found their new 'dream team'.

[bud]

Why change? Perfect no.1 and no.2, Massa seems to be settling in very nicely as the new Rubens. Ferrari have found their new 'dream team'.

[carmonwebber]

How trustworthy can statements like this be? I recall the stuff in the media before JB went to McLaren, saying that he's definitely not going etc. etc. It certainly looked convincing then, especially to think he'd teamup with Lewis after winning a WDC.

As true as that will/will not end up to be....it's one less slot for movement between the big 3 and for the other guys in the smaller teams to move up to.

[GRHinPorts]

Don't think this is a good decision myself. Massa is too far off the pace to be really useful to Ferrari. And they dont show much interest in ever promoting his race chances.

In the long run having an uncompetitive No.2 costs you in terms of outright speed and car development.

[Jabberwocky]

I bet it is just a 1 year deal to see how Kubica is when he returns

[andrew]

Pity. I was hoping that Massa (and Smedley) could escape the clutches of Ferrari. I would like to see Massa in a team where he is allowed to race and is not having to play a supporting role. He is better than being a poxy no. 2.

[What's Burning?]

Pity. I was hoping that Massa (and Smedley) could escape the clutches of Ferrari. I would like to see Massa in a team where he is allowed to race and is not having to play a supporting role. He is better than being a poxy no. 2.

Some of the tifosi here have convinced me that's not the case. That Ferrari would support and favor as number 1 Massa or any driver that could get them a WDC and that there is no permanence to their number 1. As a matter of fact Ferrari's history is of pitting one driver against another for the sake of spurring competition and getting the most out of both of them in the process.

[bud]

Pity. I was hoping that Massa (and Smedley) could escape the clutches of Ferrari. I would like to see Massa in a team where he is allowed to race and is not having to play a supporting role. He is better than being a poxy no. 2.

Some of the tifosi here have convinced me that's not the case. That Ferrari would support and favor as number 1 Massa or any driver that could get them a WDC and that there is no permanence to their number 1. As a matter of fact Ferrari's history is of pitting one driver against another for the sake of spurring competition and getting the most out of both of them in the process.

humour?

[What's Burning?]

Pity. I was hoping that Massa (and Smedley) could escape the clutches of Ferrari. I would like to see Massa in a team where he is allowed to race and is not having to play a supporting role. He is better than being a poxy no. 2.

Some of the tifosi here have convinced me that's not the case. That Ferrari would support and favor as number 1 Massa or any driver that could get them a WDC and that there is no permanence to their number 1. As a matter of fact Ferrari's history is of pitting one driver against another for the sake of spurring competition and getting the most out of both of them in the process.

humour?

Not in the slightest... just lots of reading of Spanky and AKR (where has she gone?) Granted the above is subject to interpretation, but that doesn't mean that it's not believed by all involved. Maybe driving a Ferrari has fundamentally changed me some how?

[bud]

Thats like saying Ferrari gave full support to Irvine in 99 in a title bid but only because Michael broke his leg. There was no denying where your place was in the team, as there is no denying now. This is Alonso's team.

[spankyham]

Pity. I was hoping that Massa (and Smedley) could escape the clutches of Ferrari. I would like to see Massa in a team where he is allowed to race and is not having to play a supporting role. He is better than being a poxy no. 2.

Some of the tifosi here have convinced me that's not the case. That Ferrari would support and favor as number 1 Massa or any driver that could get them a WDC and that there is no permanence to their number 1. As a matter of fact Ferrari's history is of pitting one driver against another for the sake of spurring competition and getting the most out of both of them in the process.

IMO you've got it exactly right WB. (Gotta disagree with you on this one Bud)

People tend to forget when Felipe beats Nando. People also forget that he eventually bested Kimi. Ferrari want to win and will back the driver that puts them in that position.

Still, I guess with this statement from LDM we can now start the "who will be replacing Felipe in 2013" posts

[f1ea]

I bet it is just a 1 year deal to see how Kubica is when he returns

interesting. I think so too.

Why change? Perfect no.1 and no.2, Massa seems to be settling in very nicely as the new Rubens. Ferrari have found their new 'dream team'.

Well, unfortunately, this 'dream team' has not produced a championship yet. When they do, i doubt Ferrari or their fans would have a problem with the new Rubens.

[Drthjustice]

I would look for Massa to be a lot more competative next year. His confidence has grown through every race this season. I'm not saying that I think he's on the same level as Alonso but I think that he could certainly win some races.