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[7UpJordan]

Hes gonna retire at the end of the year

I believe he will retire as well if his results don't pick up. I think he probably now believes there's nothing else for him to do in F1 now he's scored points, been on the podium, won races and now a World Championship. The only thing he hasn't yet done in my opinion - which still can be achieved - is defend the Championship.

[McLaren Fan]

Hes gonna retire at the end of the year

I believe he will retire as well if his results don't pick up. I think he probably now believes there's nothing else for him to do in F1 now he's scored points, been on the podium, won races and now a World Championship. The only thing he hasn't yet done in my opinion - which still can be achieved - is defend the Championship.

I agree there. He has not done everything in the sport just yet, if you set aside actually breaking Schumacher's records. Successfully defending a championship is something that only five people (I think) have done. If does this, perhaps then he will have achieved "everything".

[Rob-F1]

In responce to the question being asked in the title... my answer is HE BLOODY BETTER!

[FerrariFan63]

It may insult Massa, but Juggle's remark does have a thread of truth in it. Raikkonen is extremely gifted, more so than Massa, so for Massa to routinely best Raikkonen, something is seriously wrong, in this case, Raikkonen's attitude. Massa has done admirably well to get where he is in Formula One. Raikkonen, however, has been on one big booze cruise for a lot of the time. Based on that, out of the two Ferrari drivers, I feel Massa deserves the title much more than Raikkonen. If you think Massa is a good driver, FF63 because of his comparably speaking mediocre talent but supreme work ethic, imagine how good Raikkonen could be with his genius talent and a work ethic like Massa's! Raikkonen has the ability to become a true legend of the sport, but he has/is squandering it away. It's actually rather tragic.

Lots of things make a good driver. Some of these characteristics (such as raw talent, speed, bravery, intelligence) will help make a driver faster (all else being equal) from the get-go, while others (experience, race-craft, refined driving skills, strategic thinking) can be built over time. Now, Massa has a particular set of strong points (as a driver) and Raikkonen has another set of strong points (as a driver). What you're saying, and I say this in a friendly, non-argumentative way, is that if Kimi Raikkonen had all his current strong points, plus he had Massa's strong points as well (e.g. focus and work ethic), then Raikkonen should be beating Massa. Which is clearly true, but I think it says less than you think it does. If any driver had not only his current strong points, but also the strong (driver) points of Massa, and they were driving an equal car, then they'd be beating Massa at the next race. But we have to consider who these drivers are, and the cars they drive, to say what is and isn't a good performance. And for Raikkonen, I still don't believe that coming second to Massa next race would mean that he should hang up his helmet. It's quite possible Massa could pull a real blinder (not unprecedented this season), and KR could come second with a good performance.

[FerrariFan63]

I agree there. He has not done everything in the sport just yet, if you set aside actually breaking Schumacher's records. Successfully defending a championship is something that only five people (I think) have done. If does this, perhaps then he will have achieved "everything".

I believe that KR has said that he wasn't interested in hanging around F1 to break records. But I didn't expect that he'd lose interest this quickly. Not that it's necessarily the case that he has lost interest, there are other possible reasons for his slump in form.

[McLaren Fan]

Yeah, but at least he can say he's been there, done that and got the t-shirt. I think Raikkonen is interesting in getting a career grandslam, as it were, but isn't interested in doing it repeatedly, like, say, Schumacher.

[digitaleye]

If Kimi doesn't crush Massa and the rest of the competition at Spa, then its over for the Kimster. I've never been a Massa fan but you can't deny he's beating the pants of Kimi. Deride him if you think you must but right now , Massa IS the better driver. If you can't admit that its a problem with your own perceptions and prejudices, not Massas talent..

[AKR]

Basically if Ferrari dominate at Spa (such as in 1, 2 situation) if Kimi is leading over Massa, then they need to do the switch. Basically last season when Kimi was the better chance, Massa moved over for Kimi and if it were not for the help of Massa, then either Alonso or Lewis Hamilton would of been World Champoion 2007. Now is the time for Kimi to repay the favour. Move over for Massa everytime it need be from now until the last race of the season or until Massa is hopefully the world driver champion of 2008. Besides no driver out there deserves to be champion more than Massa this year.

[bud]

Besides no driver out there deserves to be champion more than Massa this year.

get over yourself, Ferrari are just another team they have no reservations on anything so STFU!!

[juggles]

if he can't win in a Ferrari at Spa then he should quit the sport.

To say that, IMHO, insults Massa. If KR finished second to Massa, then that's not too bad.

But if Massa wins and KR is way down the field/off the podium, that's going to be worrying.

I chose my words carefully. I didn't say, 'if he doesn't win at Spa then he should quit the sport.' I said, 'if he can't win at Spa then he should quit the sport.' My point was that if he is actually now incapable of winning at one of the most Ferrari-favouring tracks in the calendar, he should hang up his helmet. If Massa drives a blinder and Kimi comes second then fine. But if he never looks to be in with a chance (like at several races already this season), then that's just not good enough.

[f1ea]

Dont think Kimi will "bounce back" at Spa.
He can be competitive, but a win in Spa will not automatically place him in the best possition for the coming races. What would place him in the best position is if he works and manages to get a better fast Q lap in the rest of the races.

About Massa being the most deserving WDC i'm not too sure, my subjective favourite yes, but... some mistakes he's made leave a lot to be desired. Despite being outstanding on several ocassions. But if he manages to avoid a humiliating mistake for the rest of the season, then he's definitely the best man for the title. Lets say a mistake here or there is ok... just not another Silverstone please... Plus Massa's a really nice guy, down to earth and hard working, and definitely is not in F1 for the endorsements and media exposure nor for bragging rights. He's clearly focused on racing to win and to be the best, admirable.

[AKR]

Besides no driver out there deserves to be champion more than Massa this year.

get over yourself, Ferrari are just another team they have no reservations on anything so STFU!!

Gee that was a bit harsh. Sorry Sir! By the way I was more talking about Massa as the actual driver and not because of the team he races for. My sentance doesn't even mention the word Ferrari in it, just Massa.

[bud]

Besides no driver out there deserves to be champion more than Massa this year.

get over yourself, Ferrari are just another team they have no reservations on anything so STFU!!

Gee that was a bit harsh. Sorry Sir! By the way I was more talking about Massa as the actual driver and not because of the team he races for. My sentance doesn't even mention the word Ferrari in it, just Massa.

yeah well its the same old story emitting from tifosi lambs like yourself! BTW who ever has the most points at the end of the year is the most deserving driver

[KyrosV]

im not a ferrari lamb, But I have to agree massa has been at champion standard this year. (excluding Silverstone) And I hope he can pull it off. I always support the Underdog

[bud]

im not a ferrari lamb, But I have to agree massa has been at champion standard this year. (excluding Silverstone) And I hope he can pull it off. I always support the Underdog

or the first 2 races of the year where he spun off, sure he has had great form of late which i agree he is becoming more consistent but to say he is the most deserving over any other driver is an insult and i wont tolerate that bullpoo