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Having completed a brilliant qualifying lap in Q3 for the Malaysian Grand Prix, Felipe Massa went on to spin out of the race, losing a much-needed second place.
The Brazilian scored a ‘nil points’ in Australia as well meaning that he has yet to score a point. Ferrari’s team new team principal, Stefano Domenicali, has made it clear however, that he isn’t concerned.
There are two possible explanations for why Massa lost it at Turn 6 on Sunday; one was the story that Ferrari was pushing and that was that the car, having hit a kerb at the previous corner, stalled its aerodynamics. I sadly didn’t see whether or not this happened – the TV coverage only showed the spin from just before the back of the car lost its way – so cannot comment.
The other explanation is that Massa, as we saw in turn one of the Australian Grand Prix may well be pushing the car too hard or indeed momentarily losing concentration.
I am sure that whatever the reasoning behind the Brazilian’s two ‘moments’, Ferrari is more worried than they appear to be. For starters, their main opposition has scored good points with both Hamilton and Kovalainen at both Grand Prix so far. Ferrari need both their drivers finishing in the points to make sure they have a realistic bid to win the Constructors Championship.
If we are to believe that the car did lose its aerodynamics then that may well be worse than Massa merely having a ‘moment’. Having already been plagued by engine troubles the last thing the Scuderia needs is another gremlin in their 2008 car. Lots of other cars on the grid hit the kerbs, yet carry on as normal.
If Massa has just had two bad races that may not be such a problem, yes he could possibly be pressured by Raikkonen’s pace and by the fact that he has a realistic chance at winning the Championship but he is one of the best drivers in the world. If he wasn’t he wouldn’t be recording qualifying times like he did, or winning races like he has. He will no doubt bounce back in Bahrain.
However, the longer he goes without scoring points, in what appears to be the fastest car on the grid, the more pressure he is going to feel. If, in two weeks time, Massa’s car swaps ends again, I have a feeling Ferrari will be running out of excuses.
Ales Norsky, March 25th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I thing Massa knows all too well that he is being outclassed by Raikkonen, and is desperately trying to avoid a situation where he would be considered a de facto number two. At this point, it may be too late for that already, and he actually may be fighting for his job as Ferrari driver.
Ed Foster, March 25th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Ales,
I think unless Massa can come away with 3 podiums in the next three races he really will be fighting for his seat. I have heard rumours about Ferrari speaking to Vettel about a possible drive next year (of course both the Scuderia and Toro Rosso are saying no such thing has taken place), maybe this may have more truth to it than they are letting on?
EF
Diego Sanchez, March 25th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Get him out! There’s no use a modern F1 driver only being able to bring a car home every now and then. They have to be scoring points at nearly every race to stand a chance of the title. As he did with Schumacher before Raikkonen, Massa will be the back-up driver and support the clearly better No.1 driver.
Get Alonso in the Ferrari! Now that’d be exciting!
Ed Foster, March 25th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Diego,
I’d like to see Alonso in a Ferrari, with Raikkonen as his team-mate. The McLaren seats filled by Hamilton and Button, and the BMW Saubers with Kubica and Webber/Rosberg/Vettel in them. Sadly this is about as likely as me being the No 2 at Ferrari next season.
Perhaps Massa could partner Fisichella? With the weight off the Italian’s shoulders he is driving much better so far this season than he did in a faster Renault last year.
I suspect Masss’a form is a temporary blip, he is good enough to win races this season if he can iron out his moments. Perhaps now is the time to go to Ladbrokes, the odds would be pretty good?
EF
Ales Norsky, March 25th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I too believe that Massa will win races in 2008 and he probably would see his contract at Ferrari through. But only in supporting role, and I think that it scares him enough to try too hard to avoid it, and thus being inconsistent even more. Now, why does everybody like Webber so much…?
Ed Foster, March 25th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Ales,
I think people are fond of the Australian as he seems to be so unlucky. Nothing like sympathy! Given half a chance he is surprisingly quick and I would like to see what he could do in a reliable car… I don’t think he is of the same calibre as the likes of Raikkonen but I do think he is faster than the Red Bull gives him credit for.
EF
Rich Ambroson, March 25th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I agree with Ed, that Felipe does have a place in F1, and I also think he can still stay with Ferrari. I bleed Ferrari red, and have been a Tifoso through thick and thin. (the pain of the late 80s and most of the 90s is still fresh…) As a devout Tifoso, I still stand by Felipe. The best of them have all thrown if off the road a few times, and while I know Felipe isn’t of the very top drawer (he’s clearly not Senna or Prost or Fangio or Clark…) I think he’s at LEAST as good as Gerry Berger and others that have driven for the Scuderia.
Alonso? A supremely talented driver, but I don’t know that he’d be the best for the team spirit over at the Scuderia.
Vettel? One to watch, for sure!
Cheers,
Rich Ambroson
Greg Webb, March 25th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Alonso was unquestionably rattled by having Hamilton as his team-mate last year, and on the rare occasions when Fisichella was able to run faster in the years before.
While Flavio Briatore remains willing to indulge him by hiring second drivers who can’t reliably race him, why would he join a well ensconced Raikonnen at Ferrari?
Richard Merriman, March 25th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Folks
It appears as if Alonso is piling on the pressure with today’s news that he is free to leave Renault at the end of this season. Although how this effects his relationship with his current team remains to be seen
Richard Merriman
Paul Hawley, March 28th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Massa not of the “very top drawer” in terms of driver talent? He’s not even in the second drawer! I’m sorry, but I just don’t rate him. His manager is Nicolas Todt, son of John. Now how did he get that seat at Ferrari again…?
Okay, so he’s good enough to rack up a few more wins at Ferrari, more than Eddie Irvine anyway. But I don’t see him winning the championship; actually I don’t see him remaining at Ferrari next year.
Pia Ahonen, April 1st, 2008 at 2:13 am
I think its a little sad to see Massa in this situation. He was number two driver with Schumacher. He thought, and many others as well, that he would be number one when Schumacher left; then Kimi won the World Championship and poor Massa found hiself behind his team-mate… again. I really hope what happened to Coulthard won’t happen to him. After Hakkinen left he was hoping to become the number one but then Kimi beat him and where is Coulthard today?
Massa is a good driver, otherwise he would not be in a Ferrari but I think he needs to calm down a little bit and stop trying too much. He needs to learn to be patient and I think same about LH. You cant win Formula 1 today by just driving fast. Being patient seems to be key.
Colin Johnston, April 14th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Having the right car - high hopes of winning the championship - speed & talent - silly mistakes leading to “the head going down” - ultimately not delivering.
Is Massa the new Fisichella?