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[Jamie]

Ferrari 2011 Drive

This to me is an interesting subject for a Ferrari fan, all us supporters like to know that the team is in good capable hands of a good driver that will bring us nothing but success in years to come, Kimi & Felipe have brought us that. But Kimi has shown that he is eager to leave F1 for maybe a simple life in Switzerland? But with this there will be one drive left for a good driver? Now people have a good understanding that maybe Alonso will take this drive and beat Schumi's score with 5 titles with Ferrari and be a new best? But with this Schumi believes Vettel is a good contender and they both are good/close friends? So could this give him an opportunity to take a seat at Ferrari? There are no drivers that will meet the requirements but these 2 I feel. Kimi is also looking at leaving next year? So with this who will be free to take this drive or will Ferrari have to pay out to receive their new talent? As also more teams are coming in next season so this will open up opportunities for Sato, Davidson, Bruno & Pantano? It is a big question that fills the mind of the Tifosi. I would like your opinions please.

[Williams4ever]

I would not like to see Alonso driving for Ferrari. Alonso needs/demands to be treated as an out and out First Driver. If this doesn't occur, the tantrums follow- similar to McLaren in 2007. Massa is too good a driver to be considered merely a Second Driver and I think that in recent years Ferrari have avoided proclaiming either of their drivers 'First Driver'. I wouldn't be surprised to see Alonso remain with Renault.

Personally, however, I would love to see the Williams FW31 prove to be a contender and then perhaps, Alonso to Williams and a throwback to glory days of the 1990's when World Champions (Hill, Villenuve, Mansell, Senna) always seemed inclined to drive for Williams. Most likely this is nothing more than an elusive pipedream, but the FW31 is certainly quick and better strategy yesterday might have seen a higher finish.

[7UpJordan]

I would not like to see Alonso driving for Ferrari. Alonso needs/demands to be treated as an out and out First Driver. If this doesn't occur, the tantrums follow- similar to McLaren in 2007. Massa is too good a driver to be considered merely a Second Driver and I think that in recent years Ferrari have avoided proclaiming either of their drivers 'First Driver'. I wouldn't be surprised to see Alonso remain with Renault.

Personally, however, I would love to see the Williams FW31 prove to be a contender and then perhaps, Alonso to Williams and a throwback to glory days of the 1990's when World Champions (Hill, Villenuve, Mansell, Senna) always seemed inclined to drive for Williams. Most likely this is nothing more than an elusive pipedream, but the FW31 is certainly quick and better strategy yesterday might have seen a higher finish.

I think the big problem of Alonso going to Williams would be that Nico would not accept being a number 2 driver.

[SingaporeSling]

This if of course pure speculation and guessing, and I'm notoriously famous for being bad at forecasting anything.

If Kimi leaves for a reason or another next season, I'd expect, that Massa stays, because Ferrari wants some continuity. Assuming that happens options I see realistic are:

Alonso coming in, that would make Massa 2nd driver. He was 2nd driver when Schumi was there, but I'd assume he wouldn't like that anymore. I see this option almost impossible if Massa wins this season. If he doesnt' he might have to settle for whatever is offered. 40%

Vettel in. Would make sense, young promising driver, who would still be ok to fight for the no.1 drivers spot. This would give continuity; Massa still in for a year or two and Vettel have potential to continue for 10 more years. 30%

Rosberg in. If Williams is not fast enough, well it looks ok now, but still I don't think Nico would easily resist opportunity to drive for Ferrari. Similar overall as with Vettel, fast young driver who probably wouldn't expect special no. 1 treatment, but would be ready to fight for his no.1 position in the team. 20%

Lewis in. Difficult, but not impossible if mac is not fast enough. It has been seen that he wants to WIN. He's got the media profile "tiger woods of racing" that would be good for promoting F1 and Ferrari in the new markets and North America. and his fast. Personally I still hope this wouldn't happen. 10%

From the current drivers don't really see anyone else coming in Ferrari if things change next season.

[Bovvaboy]

I don't think Massa is good enough to be a number 1 driver, too many mistakes and cracks under pressure. Vettel is a good up and coming driver but is he good enough to go to Ferrari? Maybe in a year or two..... time will tell. Ferrari don't make their decisions at the last minute, rather they and Mclaren make their driver choices a long time in advance , and if they don't the F1 driver market stays in limbo until they do make a decision. Fernando is a perfect fit for Ferrari, he is a number one driver and they have always had a number one driver and a whipping boy to help. Massa fits that bill as did Reubens.

[AKR]

I want Ferrari to have the best driver possible. I would like Ferrari to have the next Schumacher. The question is who will that be. Alonso seems good but I don't know if he will good for Ferrari for when the going gets tough. Alonso when the car is not that good he seems to just complain and complain and threaten to leave. Schumacher was not like that and with his failures or I should say the team's failures he motivates himself and the team more. Alonso is not like that and thus will like with Kimi Raikkonen achieve mimimal success only. I doubt Kimi can win another title. He lacks the drive to do this. And if Ferrari's performance of Melbourne is repeated again in the near future it will worsen Kimi's performance most likely. Vettel appears to be the one. He is young and full of energt and eagness to win titles. (Note I wrote titles and not title). He seems calm and not the type to start blaming everyone else when things go wrong. If it were my choice I would have Massa and Vettel for 2011. As for a number 1 driver? If Massa by then has won a World Drivers Title to all fairness Massa would be number 1. But Vettel should be allowed to beat him if need be, unlike the Schumi - Irvine/Barichello era. If Massa has not won a WDC by then, then no number 1 status assigned to no one. Either way what I would like to see for sure is the Schumacher type era repeated again. Where Ferrari are in a world of their own and can even make a mockery of all other teams. I once remember hearing Murray Walker say, "There are 2 worlds in F1, there is the world of Ferrari and then there is the world of everyone else". Those days were the best. May Vettel one day come to Ferrari and bring those days back.

[SingaporeSling]

Alonso seems good but I don't know if he will good for Ferrari for when the going gets tough. Alonso when the car is not that good he seems to just complain and complain and threaten to leave. Schumacher was not like that and with his failures or I should say the team's failures he motivates himself and the team more. Alonso is not like that and thus will like with Kimi Raikkonen achieve mimimal success only.

The double world champion and you call it minimal success, really interesting criteria. Kimi admittedly only has one so far, so I guess that can be called minimal success.

Either way what I would like to see for sure is the Schumacher type era repeated again. Where Ferrari are in a world of their own and can even make a mockery of all other teams. I once remember hearing Murray Walker say, "There are 2 worlds in F1, there is the world of Ferrari and then there is the world of everyone else". Those days were the best. May Vettel one day come to Ferrari and bring those days back.

One way of seeing it or sure. I thought those were the worst days for F1 in recent years, no competition, no fight for the points and WDC decided after half of the season. That makes it simply boring. Last two seasons at least the championship has been decided in the last GP, like it should. This season also looks to be open for more than two teams or drivers to win, which I think is great, no matter who I personally support.

[AKR]

The double world champion and you call it minimal success, really interesting criteria. Kimi admittedly only has one so far, so I guess that can be called minimal success.

I meant that if the going got tough Alonso would be like Kimi and not care and would under perform and blame eveyone else. Schumi was not like that. Alonso is a good driver and I actually like him, but I want someone who will lead Ferrari like Schumi did.

One way of seeing it or sure. I thought those were the worst days for F1 in recent years, no competition, no fight for the points and WDC decided after half of the season. That makes it simply boring. Last two seasons at least the championship has been decided in the last GP, like it should. This season also looks to be open for more than two teams or drivers to win, which I think is great, no matter who I personally support.

I am just telling it in a tifosa's point of view. Beside this thread was all about our point of you was it not?

[SingaporeSling]

I meant that if the going got tough Alonso would be like Kimi and not care and would under perform and blame eveyone else. Schumi was not like that. Alonso is a good driver and I actually like him, but I want someone who will lead Ferrari like Schumi did.

Ok, understood, though I don't really think so. Alonso didn't give up last season, but actually developed the car and improved a lot by the end of the season.
Also statement that Kimi is blaming everyone else is a misunderstanding, normally he doesn't comment much after a race, especially if it doesn't go well.
Yes admitted that Schumi was different, but he also got different treatment, the whole team was developed around him.

I am just telling it in a tifosa's point of view. Beside this thread was all about our point of you was it not?

Absolutely, it's an opinion and all these discussions are (mostly) about opinions. and you have right for one,:yes: I'm not denying that No worries there. My opinion just is different, I want the drivers to fight until the end of the season.

[Jamie]

I want Ferrari to have the best driver possible. I would like Ferrari to have the next Schumacher. The question is who will that be. Alonso seems good but I don't know if he will good for Ferrari for when the going gets tough. Alonso when the car is not that good he seems to just complain and complain and threaten to leave. Schumacher was not like that and with his failures or I should say the team's failures he motivates himself and the team more. Alonso is not like that and thus will like with Kimi Raikkonen achieve mimimal success only. I doubt Kimi can win another title. He lacks the drive to do this. And if Ferrari's performance of Melbourne is repeated again in the near future it will worsen Kimi's performance most likely. Vettel appears to be the one. He is young and full of energt and eagness to win titles. (Note I wrote titles and not title). He seems calm and not the type to start blaming everyone else when things go wrong. If it were my choice I would have Massa and Vettel for 2011. As for a number 1 driver? If Massa by then has won a World Drivers Title to all fairness Massa would be number 1. But Vettel should be allowed to beat him if need be, unlike the Schumi - Irvine/Barichello era. If Massa has not won a WDC by then, then no number 1 status assigned to no one. Either way what I would like to see for sure is the Schumacher type era repeated again. Where Ferrari are in a world of their own and can even make a mockery of all other teams. I once remember hearing Murray Walker say, "There are 2 worlds in F1, there is the world of Ferrari and then there is the world of everyone else". Those days were the best. May Vettel one day come to Ferrari and bring those days back.

You read from a dream that could soon happen, I believe Vettel is true contender and could bring back the days I soon hope to come, the days of a Ferrari red world were the best. Ferrari is full of honour. The prancing horse is a symbol of a champion? That will not be given to any random person. Ferrari is a status symbol to say 'You have done it, you are t the very best' Felipe Massa is a superb driver and has obviously done something radical to make Ferrari want him so bad? Alonso - I totally agree with you AKR! He is a sore loser and from your views I now wish that Alonso would not join upon our team, Massa has worked hard and is now maturing to a new level that can only be classed as a world champion. Mistakes will be made from any 'Driver' that’s human. You most realise what pressure these drivers are under? Not only from our standards? But also the whole Tifosi - Italy. This season is a need to win for the Brazilian, I only hope there will be a pot of gold at the end of this 2009 rainbow. For you who say he is not ready? Last season he proved his worthy? Or his championship level with wins that rain from the sky...Speed is the main thing that needs to be grasped for this season, but with Vettel getting the RB to such a level with Webber far behind shows talent running thru his veins, I think this sort of talent must be took into account and brought to the Ferrari team. But he must lose Red-Bull if he wishes to join the Scuderia Pack? So he will have to lose the backing of one of the biggest backing in the racing industry? Or he will be the first driver to have red-bull sponsoring him into the Ferrari pack? There will be allot of issues with him going to race for Ferrari but I believe with his records and his talent he will be a major success in Formula 1! I just hope He can max Schumi's record and even make his own

[texasmr2]

I think it will be Massa and Vettel, that is unless Massa leaves before 2011 but Vettel is almost a sure bet imo.

[Dutchcruijff]

If Vettel was going to leave RBR in the near future, and I don't think he will for another two years, he'll move to BMW. There's been strong rumours that BMW have a clause in his contract which allows them to try and sign him on for 1/2 years. He's already acquainted with the BMW team and if BMW were to release Heidfeld it would make sense to employ the German for a German team...

[texasmr2]

If Vettel was going to leave RBR in the near future, and I don't think he will for another two years, he'll move to BMW. There's been strong rumours that BMW have a clause in his contract which allows them to try and sign him on for 1/2 years. He's already acquainted with the BMW team and if BMW were to release Heidfeld it would make sense to employ the German for a German team...

I see too close of an affiliation between him and Schumi for him not to go to Ferrari atleast one day. Vettel has had Schumi on 'speed dial' over the last 2yrs and then there is the defence of Vettel by Schumi over his incident with Kubica. The writing has been on the wall for sometime now but this is just my opinion.

[EwanM]

If Vettel was going to leave RBR in the near future, and I don't think he will for another two years, he'll move to BMW. There's been strong rumours that BMW have a clause in his contract which allows them to try and sign him on for 1/2 years. He's already acquainted with the BMW team and if BMW were to release Heidfeld it would make sense to employ the German for a German team...

I think that'll happen. Vettel was very apologetic towards BMW after the race yesterday. He still has strong links with the team and doesn't he lease his road cars from them (didn't DC say?)

As for Ferrari, that may come. Not for a while though.

[texasmr2]

If Vettel does go to BMW instead I will not be disappointed.