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[Matkins]

Quite often when i watch on board footage of Massa I see him taking rather sloppy lines, and making the Ferrari look like a handfull to drive. Which is diametrically different to Raikonen's style. He's a smooth operator. But ice man's tires are stone cold. I think more aggresive driving style is an advantage in the current era, with so many drivers struggling to get their tires at an optimal temperature for best grip. Which is especially why Hamilton and Kubica, 2 examples of 'ragged edge' drivers, have shone this year. Hill has really spoken my mind for me, I have on occasion been stunned at the times Massa has produce after watching how he botched a lap together. So i've been thinking quietly to myself that the Ferrari must have some extra prancing horse power in its engine. And i would love to see what that car could do in the hands of real cowboy (Kubica/Hamilton), some one who would grab it by the reigns and tame that wild beast.

Does Massa have the rodeo skills to ride off into the sunset with his first WDC? We'll have a better idea after tomorrows show down, thats for sure.
yeehah

[bud]

Have to agree with DH's comment. Anybody have any insight on the missed apices?

not sure on the missed apices maybe he is covering a flaw in the cars exit speed by increasing the corner radius

[f1maniac95]

I think Massa has definately improved a lot this year but I also agree with the comment that Raikkonen is the more smoother driver.

[8-ball]

I think Massa has definately improved a lot this year but I also agree with the comment that Raikkonen is the more smoother driver.

I don't think that anyone would argue that Kimi is the more naturally gifted driver but Massa's application this year has been superb he deserves his shot at the title more than Kimi does and so I think that the team should line up behind them

[texasmr2]

Massa's application this year has been superb he deserves his shot at the title more than Kimi does and so I think that the team should line up behind them

Especially after today's race.

[McLaren Fan]

Mathematically speaking, Raikkonen is still in with a shout of winning the title and has the ability, personnel and car with which to do it. He is, however, a long way behind and Hamilton and McLaren are no slouches, so it's probably better for Ferrari that Raikkonen is now the team's number two driver. Let's face it, Raikkonen has not been up to scratch and he owes Massa some assistance after the Brazilian let him past to win the title.

[f1s best fan]

massa is good at the moment and will pprobably win the title in my eyes but i really think Hamilton deserves it because he's leading after all his errors

[Ferrarista]

Felipe Massa is more mature now. He learned to read the race...to think while racing his opponents. I guess that's something Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher teached him a few years ago.

Felipe is faster than Kimi, but Kimi was more consistent in 2007. But I'm convinced that Massa is the fastest one. Look at the qualifications this year. He's almost always ahead of his teammate.

We saw him start from pole several times. Starting from there the chance of winning the GP is pretty huge. Even though he did some fantastic moves to get ahead of someone else, Felipe is not the best man to overtake. Still, it's something wich is charming those days... I prefer a pilot who's a bit to aggresive more then a certain Kimi Raikkonen who's always that careful.
It's more spectacular...for everyone ! Remember Massa vs. Alonso etc. ... that was exciting !

The biggest problem is the rain -factor. Felipe ...well...sucks in the rain. Point. I'm afraid we're heading races wich fit Lewis more, just because of that aspect. But fair is fair, all credit to drivers who shine in those circumstances. It's a great skill to go fast in these conditions ...

Since MSC left the F1 I always saw Felipe as my new Nr1 Ferrarista...even if Kimi clinched the title.
I felt nothing when he won tin Brazil...and I still think he's a prik...it won't change if he wins the 4 race wich are left this year.

Massa shows his emotions , it reminds me a little bit of the days Jean Alesi raced the nr27 -car...

[McLaren Fan]

Whilst I agree that Massa has matured a lot this season (and about time too! How long has he been in Formula One?), I'm not convinced he is as fast as Raikkonen. The reason Massa is quicker than Raikkonen in qualifying is because he has less fuel in his car than Raikkonen. When you factor in fuel levels, Raikkonen is equally as fast, if not faster. Also, examine the fastest lap charts for the races. The vast majority of the time the fastest lap was set by Raikkonen - even when he has not looked like winning a race.

[f1ea]

Yes, Massa has certainly matured and stepped his game up. And with a lot of hard work, has been able to tune and work out specific track and car handling details to put him in a better condition than Kimi has. However, all this would have PROBABLY been meaningless had Kimi not have experienced his issues with the car and tyres. Much like the Heidfeld - Kubica battle...

Even with the win at Spa, Kimi's chances at the WDC were uphill. Not because he is not fast enough, but because his issues are far more in-bred than Massa's. Let's face it: this yr's tyres heat up a LOT slower than last yr's... the reasons, to me are that Bridgestone overestimated the ammount of tyre spin due to the lack of TC thus making the compounds harder to heat; and the general colder track temperatures.

So yeah... Massa is certainly strong. Definitely the only one who can challenge Mclaren, with some tracks coming that he could do well in. But he has to avoid mistakes and force Lewis and Mclaren to try and beat him and make the mistakes.

[scotty]

Massa has become more consistent but i'm going to go out on a limb and say this car suits him way more than it does Raikkonen - a (deserving) world champion doesn't suddenly become crap in the space of a year.

So does Massa's form make him deserve to win the title? Questionably. Any driver truly worthy of being champion should be able to win at least one 'epic' race in their time - something Massa is yet to do, and something i can't really see him doing. Has he even won having not started on the front row?

[Ferrarista]

Massa has become more consistent but i'm going to go out on a limb and say this car suits him way more than it does Raikkonen - a (deserving) world champion doesn't suddenly become crap in the space of a year.

So does Massa's form make him deserve to win the title? Questionably. Any driver truly worthy of being champion should be able to win at least one 'epic' race in their time - something Massa is yet to do, and something i can't really see him doing. Has he even won having not started on the front row?

I think he did. But don't underestimate his ability to get the pole...that's one of his best skills.

[McLaren Fan]

Massa has become more consistent but i'm going to go out on a limb and say this car suits him way more than it does Raikkonen - a (deserving) world champion doesn't suddenly become crap in the space of a year.

So does Massa's form make him deserve to win the title? Questionably. Any driver truly worthy of being champion should be able to win at least one 'epic' race in their time - something Massa is yet to do, and something i can't really see him doing. Has he even won having not started on the front row?

I think he did. But don't underestimate his ability to get the pole...that's one of his best skills.

He's won a race or two whilst not being on pole position. Stunning stuff. In terms of how he achieves his pole positions, he just runs lighter than most people, so pole position is not an indicator of how fast you are any more.

[Ferrarista]

Massa has become more consistent but i'm going to go out on a limb and say this car suits him way more than it does Raikkonen - a (deserving) world champion doesn't suddenly become crap in the space of a year.

So does Massa's form make him deserve to win the title? Questionably. Any driver truly worthy of being champion should be able to win at least one 'epic' race in their time - something Massa is yet to do, and something i can't really see him doing. Has he even won having not started on the front row?

I think he did. But don't underestimate his ability to get the pole...that's one of his best skills.

He's won a race or two whilst not being on pole position. Stunning stuff. In terms of how he achieves his pole positions, he just runs lighter than most people, so pole position is not an indicator of how fast you are any more.

...okay, but he won a some races starting from P1...so, he has been the smartest those times

[EwanM]

He's won a race or two whilst not being on pole position. Stunning stuff. In terms of how he achieves his pole positions, he just runs lighter than most people, so pole position is not an indicator of how fast you are any more.

Id agree with that, but it has worked.
If Massa wins the title this year I think he deserves it. Ok people will argue Spa over and over again. But it is tiresome. The decision was an injustice, Hamilton should have won the race, but we can't be stuck in the past. Time to move on and fight again. Mclaren will lose this world championship if they don't keep positive.

Massa isn't the best of the bunch so to speak. But he has developed a very clever race craft. Maybe he isn't as fast as Kimi on a single lap, but Kimi usually sets fastest laps having driven around all day in the midfield, almost uncaring.
Now I would put Hamilton as a better driver than Massa, a better world champion - well that is questionable for this year.
Maybe without the rookie mistakes.

He maybe isn't the greatest in the wet, but the same can be said for many a driver. Heck even our current world champion isn't that hot in wet conditions either.