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[What's Burning?]

I think this is the last time Massa will end ahead of Bottas for the year.

[RichieRooster]

For all I felt for Massa today, I think it was made 10 times worse because of the wording.
If we drag the discussion back to his performance, I must admit I was disappointed today. I thought he stood a good chance of a podium going into the weekend, but didn't seem to turn up. Regardless of any team orders, Massa is going to have to take responsibility for his own races.
I hope Williams as a team can keep it together because they've worked hard to get themselves into a good position.

[CookinFlat6]

Agreed, Williams deserve a driver who can rise above his own demons and ego and really work for the team. I cant help thinking Kovaleinien would be better in that role next to bottas. Obviousl alonso or Lewis would be perfect but realistically, apart from his sponsorship, I am not sure what Massa brings to the team. He is not a young charger or an older developer, he wants to play at being Alonso

[zurich_allan]

I can sort of see why Williams went for him. Here is the rationale.

Massa is an experienced driver who has won races. He did compete for the WDC and very nearly beat Hamilton to it in 2008. Although he has had phases during seasons where he has almost literally vanished, once the chips are down, and nothing left to hold back he has, like it or not, shown speed on a par with Alonso. This is not opinion, it is factual. Williams are probably hoping that at a cut down price, the gamble is that in the right environment with the right machinery, Massa can get that 2008 speed and consistency back again.

I'm not saying that I think any of the above will happen, but it is a perfectly logical basis on which to take the chance.

As a shareholder with a vested interest it's in my interests that it pays off!!

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[What's Burning?]

^^ They would have gotten more from Hulkenberg. A driver that's concerned about his team mate out performing him is not a driver that's got his focus on a championship.

[zurich_allan]

^^ They would have gotten more from Hulkenberg.

I agree - but was that an option for this year? I didn't think it was...

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[What's Burning?]

^^ They would have gotten more from Hulkenberg.

I agree - but was that an option for this year? I didn't think it was...

sorry, just venting. I particularly enjoyed him giving Alonso a hard time when he was trying to overtake him.

[zurich_allan]

^^ They would have gotten more from Hulkenberg.

I agree - but was that an option for this year? I didn't think it was...

sorry, just venting. I particularly enjoyed him giving Alonso a hard time when he was trying to overtake him.

I think the media are doing both Hulkenberg and Force India a bit of a disservice at the moment actually. Particularly Hulkenberg. He is doing a fantastic job, but seems to be flying under the radar a bit for reasons unknown to me.

Did BBC put any focus on him in their pre or post race discussion? There was virtually nothing on Sky.


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[RichieRooster]

But herein lies the problem. Hulkenberg is the driver who would have been ideal in a Williams, in a Lotus (though not being in that may be a blessing), or even a Ferrari. But, his lack of backing money has meant we've ended up with Massa potentially throwing the toys out the pram if Bottas is faster, and Maldonado buying a Lotus seat he wouldn't have had on merit IMO if money had been no object.
We're at risk of good drivers loosing out on seats.
The team dynamics at Williams are probably going to be the most interesting on the grid.

[CookinFlat6]

The BBC featured Hulk in the race forum, with someone even saying he was the best non WDC on the grid.

Poor Bottas wont even be driving in free practice for a few races as the seat will be rented out

[RichieRooster]

And I'm not knocking Force India. I think they're a cracking team and they have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years and I'm fond of them. I just feel the Hulk deserved a shot in a bigger team. The Sauber move was a waste of time really. He should have had the seat at McLaren when Lewis moved on instead of going with Perez

[What's Burning?]

And I'm not knocking Force India. I think they're a cracking team and they have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years and I'm fond of them. I just feel the Hulk deserved a shot in a bigger team. The Sauber move was a waste of time really. He should have had the seat at McLaren when Lewis moved on instead of going with Perez

If he had, we'd be looking at a Hulkenberg, Magnussen McLaren grid today.

[racechick]

And I'm not knocking Force India. I think they're a cracking team and they have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years and I'm fond of them. I just feel the Hulk deserved a shot in a bigger team. The Sauber move was a waste of time really. He should have had the seat at McLaren when Lewis moved on instead of going with Perez

If he had, we'd be looking at a Hulkenberg, Magnussen McLaren grid today.

And that would be an ACE pairing! For some reason McLaren missed a trick there.
@zurichAallen, the BBC did talk very favourably about Hulk...and justifiably in my opinion. A lot of people voted him their driver of the day. I'm not sure if David( I lthink Jenson Button is superb and will try to down play anything Hamilton does) Coulthard, actually voted hulk as his favourite, or was quoting others who had, but he definitely had a good press from the beeb.
Actually I think he could do alright for himself in that FI. It's got potential. Especially in his hands.

[What's Burning?]

the BBC did talk very favourably about Hulk...and justifiably in my opinion. A lot of people voted him their driver of the day. I'm not sure if David( I lthink Jenson Button is superb and will try to down play anything Hamilton does) Coulthard.

He must have had a heck of a time downplaying a hat trick today.

[racechick]

the BBC did talk very favourably about Hulk...and justifiably in my opinion. A lot of people voted him their driver of the day. I'm not sure if David( I lthink Jenson Button is superb and will try to down play anything Hamilton does) Coulthard.

He must have had a heck of a time downplaying a hat trick today.

Oh he's a subtle operator