So, when do we see the Massa/Vettel swap?

[jumaal]

Maybe Massa is being manipulated into making these mistakes, who knows...

Read this story here, don't know if it is true. But it is just an opinion of Gary Anderson.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/27032008/ ... titch.html

Personally I think Vettle is more promising in the current bunch of young drivers but Massa is not that bad a F1 driver himself. He's won races. I think only time will tell if a swap of Massa/Vettel would happen.

[Rob W]

No, I think Ferrari doesn't usually doesn't take responsibility, I recall Schumacher retiring and claiming it was his fault when it was mechanical issues. Kimi last last year at Monza claimed it was a driver error, when it was a suspension problem.

I didn't say Ferrari didn't take responsibility, I said they are "meticulous in... not publicly blaming the drivers for retirements/car-issues".

I cannot recall last time Ferrari management blamed a driver for a retirement.. yet other teams have done it quite regularly.

R

[RH1300S]

Has it been mention yet? The obvious fly in Vettel's ointment would be the question of Alonso in 2009.

Rumours abound that he is headed Ferrari's way - so unless Kimi leaves, there's no room for Vettel.

Mind you - quite why Alonso would want to be at Ferrari with Kimi I just don't know - a combustible situation for the fragile Alonso ego surely.

Kimi skips off to a happy and drunken retirement as twice WDC - 2009 with Alonso & Vettel? - I hope not!

[Johan]

I also hope not. And I also don't hope that Vettel and Alonso join Ferrari as one team. The combination Raikkonen + Vettel is even better! Alonso is to arrogant.

Nevermind, I think Vettel join Ferrari next year.

[P_O_L]

I pretty much am convinced vettel will NOT join ferrari this year or next year as it is simply against their philosophy of hiring proven and experienced drivers.

[axle]

I pretty much am convinced vettel will NOT join ferrari this year or next year as it is simply against their philosophy of hiring proven and experienced drivers.

Massa was about as proven and reliable. Schumacher rates him and that WILL speak volumes to Ferarri's management.

[P_O_L]

Massa drove for sauber a long time before the switch to the big boys. Shumi also backed Irvine and Rubens, and even Lewis, of all people.

[megz]

POL, you moron, Massa was ALWAYS signed to Ferrari, he was leased to Sauber in 2002 (Using Ferrari engines) then went testing for Ferrari in 2003 then went back to Sauber for 2004 (at Ferrari's behest) then stayed until the end of 2005 where he ended up at Ferrari, SUPRISE!!!!

[Carlos]

A little OT but if I may comment - Good post megz, except for qualifying P_O_L , every thing else, totally good, totally accurate, unless we can raise the money to send a team of psychometrists to test forum members, let's leave the clinical diagnosis open, let's give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I was a little surprised with P_O_L's inaccuracy, a little research might have been in order. I remembered most of Massa's career. Thanks for filing me in the blanks

[Conceptual]

Vettel > Massa

Opinion obviously, but I would LOVE to see them head to head at a test this year.

Chris

PS: Has there been ANY MORE corroberation of the story on F1Technical about Vettel becoming Ferrari's reaserve driver for this year?

Chris

[P_O_L]

POL, you moron, Massa was ALWAYS signed to Ferrari, he was leased to Sauber in 2002 (Using Ferrari engines) then went testing for Ferrari in 2003 then went back to Sauber for 2004 (at Ferrari's behest) then stayed until the end of 2005 where he ended up at Ferrari, SUPRISE!!!!

o dear...

Ferrari has more drivers on contract, it doesnt guarantee a seat at the prime red team though. Just look where Heidfeld and gary paffet ended up at.

My point was Massa was still a kid in 2002. Even if ferrari signs vettel, i couldnt see him driving one of their cars at gps this or next year.

[megz]

Of course not, Massa has a cast iron contract with the Scuderia until 2010 I suspect that if he doesn't improve there may be room for leaverage by Ferrari.

[ben_watkins]

Montezemolo: Massa not under pressure

So Monte is saying he's safe but it seems strange that they'd keep his Sepang engine in, even though they could change it without penalty?

Ferrari may not change Massa's engine

Massa may keep Sepang engine in Bahrain

I can understand them using it during Friday practice, to get the full life from it, but they seem to suggest he'll race on it?

[JimmyK]

'So Monte is saying he's safe but it seems strange that they'd keep his Sepang engine in, even though they could change it without penalty?
I can understand them using it during Friday practice, to get the full life from it, but they seem to suggest he'll race on it?'

Slightly OT, but...

Why not?

If they put a new engine in for Bahrain, it'll get quite a lot of wear there and then have to undergo a whole race weekend beyond that.
If they use the one that (i assume, after he didn't finish Australia) was new for Malaysia then they get a better deal. It didn't get a full run, nor i suspect was Massa really pushing it hard after Raikkonen got past him. It's fresher than your average engine on a second race. So it should manage Bahrain, and then they can put in a new one for the 2 races afterwards.
Think it's the right decision myself.

[Conceptual]

'So Monte is saying he's safe but it seems strange that they'd keep his Sepang engine in, even though they could change it without penalty?
I can understand them using it during Friday practice, to get the full life from it, but they seem to suggest he'll race on it?'

Slightly OT, but...

Why not?

If they put a new engine in for Bahrain, it'll get quite a lot of wear there and then have to undergo a whole race weekend beyond that.
If they use the one that (i assume, after he didn't finish Australia) was new for Malaysia then they get a better deal. It didn't get a full run, nor i suspect was Massa really pushing it hard after Raikkonen got past him. It's fresher than your average engine on a second race. So it should manage Bahrain, and then they can put in a new one for the 2 races afterwards.
Think it's the right decision myself.

Agreed, let the fresher engine play in the sand on its last race, instead of starting a new one under those circumstances just to get the fresh one for the next one.

Chris