Massa exits Ferrari from 2014 [split]

Santander cash!?

He's a big, big factor in Santander's marketing strategy in Brazil.

Good riddance.

Was quite consistently outperforming Kimi before he got twatted in the face with a spring. Has never been the same driver since - although having to deal with Fred's talent and inevitable favoritism from the Ferrari management has no doubt muddied the picture.

 

As for next year? I think he'll end up at Williams with a healthy bag of Santander cash........

That would good to see

I'm not really surprised to hear this news, because to be honest Massa has not been that great since 2008. I do feel somewhat sad for him though...he seems to be a nice guy, and once upon a time I thought he was quite cute...

So long, Felipe Baby...it's been fun!

It had to happen.  He's been there a long time and the team has become quite stale.  Will be interesting to see what happens next in terms of both Ferrari and where he ends up.

I think 2009 was his best season actually. He wasn't making many mistakes, and it seemed like he was driving with the confidence of a champion. I really wish we had the chance to see whether he could drag that car to victory like Kimi did. 

I agree; in fact, with the exception of Button I'd say he was the best driver on the grid for the first part of 2009. That weekend really was a massive shame because I think it could have made his season; with Kimi finishing a narrow 2nd I really believe Massa would have won that race. That would have enabled him to end the season strongly and carry some real momentum into the battle with Alonso in 2010. Instead he lost half a year and never quite looked the same driver again; I think he's the sort of driver that needs to be confident to be quick and that accident dented his confidence in a big way.

He should have won the WDC in 2008 - Crashgate is the biggest disgrace for F1 & FIA.   I hope Massa will write a book some day...  

I'm not very optimistic about him finding a seat for next year, anyway, Felipe had his moments, and it's hard to believe that crash didn't change him as driver... I hope he can have some nice races still this year... his performance in Monza was good.

anyway, his last win in F1 was epic... but... no wins since 2008 with a top car.

He's a big, big factor in Santander's marketing strategy in Brazil.

I have so many bad words for Massa... 

Basicly I am glad he is gone and I hope he will leave F1 for good.


 

Edited by ocp, 10 September 2013 - 19:30.

Thank you Felipe

 

If Maldonado goes to Lotus as has been rumoured, then could Massa maybe find a seat at Williams? He could do worse, with Williams getting Mercedes engines next year. I hope he stays in F1 somehow.

Felipe's a great guy and a great teammate to Alonso, but he's not been the same ever since his accident.

I'll never forget how they showed how happy his father was as he crossed the line, only to find out that Lewis had overtaken Heiki (was it?) and then ended up winning.  It was cruel and sad, but at least he was close.  Closer than most drivers.  As most already know, he's been dissappointing since, but still a good career and plenty of podiums.

As a Ferrari fan, I'm pleased. Nothing against him, grateful for his 2006 to 2010 races, but after that, that second seat no longer gelled with him, and it's the best for both him and Ferrari to change.

I'll never forget how they showed how happy his father was as he crossed the line, only to find out that Lewis had overtaken Heiki (was it?) and then ended up winning.  It was cruel and sad, but at least he was close.  Closer than most drivers.  As most already know, he's been dissappointing since, but still a good career and plenty of podiums.

It was Glock...

Brilliant driver at his time, unfortunately he hasn't been driving at the same level he was from 06-09'. 

Ciao Massa, I wish the best for you in the future. 

When I think of Istanbul Park and Interlagos I instantly think Massa '06-'09. Such a shame about that freak accident. G'luck in your endeavors from now on Felipe.

I wish him well. At the same time, eight seasons as a Ferrari GP driver is a lot. Only Schumacher has had more, and even he was expendable in the end. I'd like to see Felipe in another F1 team (midfield, realistically) but it really should have happened a few years ago, for his own sake as much as for Ferrari's. 

About time.

He has been holding Ferrari back in championship points.

Massa was heading for greatness after 2008 and the early part of 2009. Still remember those tears at Interlagos after the season finale of 2008. I still wonder what might have been if he hadn't had that nasty accident. He would have given Alonso a serious run for his money, of that I'm sure. After his accident he just misses those extra tenths a lap needed to compete. I really hope he can win a race this year, preferably Interlagos of course.

His only option now seems Sauber, but don't really see him move elswhere like a Barrichello did after his Ferrari years.

What are his options (in F1), Lotus, Sauber? or even STR?

Edited by DinocoBlue, 10 September 2013 - 19:55.

Too bad about the accident. I believe he never was the same after that. Hopefully people will remember more than the last two years about him.

What are his options (in F1), Lotus, Sauber? or even STR?

I think Lotus will choose Hulkenberg alongside Grosjean. No chance for STR, Sauber seems a possibility. I can't really see other options if he stays in F1.

Suddenly I find myself really longing for a strong Ferrari performance at Interlagos. Like, really strong.

I'm not usually that sentimental, but it would be great to see Massa win 1 more race. Its unlikely, but it would be a nice story.

Edit - and then to retire. Nothing against him, I'm just not a fan of drivers slipping down the grid.

Edited by spacekid, 10 September 2013 - 20:12.

Caterham?

So FM announced that he will not drive Ferrari in 2014. It had been pretty much a known fact some weeks earlier, but it was still polite form Ferrari to let Felipe announce this himself.

FM had a rather good season in 2006 and an even better season in 2007, when his assistance in the last GP of that season gave Kimi his only WDC title so far. The 2008 season was Massa's high point and he lost the WDC title by one point to Hamilton. At that point I estimated him being in top four F1 drivers. The early season 2009 was pretty good for him, but the Ferrari car was miserable. Then came GP in Hungary and the accident. After that we have seen FM in his old form only occasionally.

Naturally we can ask the question: Felipe has recovered from his accident physically well, but has it been the same thing in mentally? Perhaps not. But there has been also other reasons, which have put his career to a downward direction. One is the changes in the rules and regulations. In recent years the fuelling during the race has been forbidden. That makes the cars more heavy and has forced the tyre development to slightly harder compounds. That has made the time trials and races much more difficult to Massa. He has seldom had enough grip.

The other thing is a matter of good selfconfidence. When FM drove as KR's team mate, he had relatively good selfconfodence, not as good as KR, but relatively good. In 2010-2013 this situation has changed. The Ferrari team has clearly shown, that FA is the star and the other driver is in the team just for supporting him. That has been very bad for FM's selfconfidence, which was originally hurt because of the accident. FA's very consistent races have also had some negative impact to FM: he knows, that he would need a miracle to get more points than rock-solid Fernando. The result has been some over-trying and errors.

FM is a nice man, who can cope with practically anybody. He is not a star driver, but on a good day in a car, which is well adjusted, he will deliver a good result. 

When Ferrari decided in 2009, who would continue at Ferrari: Felipe or Kimi, it was natural to choose Felipe. He had been at Ferrari a longer time. Partly for that reason and partly due to Felipe's character the Ferrari team had a deeper relationship with him than with Kimi. Felipe was also a much cheaper driver than Kimi, who had not dominated the battle inside Ferrari team, in fact these two drivers looked to be at the same level. If Felipe could do pretty much the same thing as Kimi, why waste good money to the Finn? KR's off-track behaviour had also given some headache to LdM. Naturally the Ferrari team was not sure, whether Felipe would recover totally (propably he did not), but if the team would have dumped Felipe at that point, the Ferrari fans would surely have been very annoyed.

One additional reason was the famous Ferrari policy with one star driver and one supporting driver. In 2007-2009 this was not the case, but when FA was coming in, it seemed only natural to allow only one rooster in a henhouse. The Ferrari team figured, that FM would accept and adapt the #2 driver status easier than KR. Santander, which was a big sponsor, wanted Kimi out to let FA more "breathing room". Naturally it also was a question of the big South-American market, for PR-purposes a Brazilian driver was better than a Finnish driver, especially from Santader's point of view. 

Now the Ferrari team has had this same queston to answer at he end of last year and now in August-September. In late 2012 the team decided to keep Felipe in and Kimi out, but in the third occasion the situation finally changed. FM has not reached his earlier level, and obviously will not be able to do it later either. On the other hand KR has improved his driving, he has been a very, very steady performer. In 2012-2013 KR has been CLEARLY superior driver compared to FM. So the result which we are now wittnessing, was in fact quote natural. Keep also in mind, that Shell is now backing KR, and will pay a part of Kimi's salary. Jorma Ollila a Finn, who is now Shell's chairman, might have had something to do with that decision.

I can't think what F1 team he can go to.

I'm hoping Smedders will finally get a promotion now.

It's great to see such support for Massa. I really wanted that seat to be empty, still do but now I feel slightly sad. Come to think of it, I consider him the most loyal Ferrari driver since Alesi.

He should have won the WDC in 2008 - Crashgate is the biggest disgrace for F1 & FIA.   I hope Massa will write a book some day...  

Yeah, I completely agree...and now he has been number 2 for a guy who arguably ruined his WDC that year

...what

OFF

I just want to see the face of Alonso or Kimi when he do that ;)

Good luck Felipe, hope you'll find a new team to drive in!

Massa was always a pleasure to watch on Turkish GP

Massa moving on from Ferrari has been a while coming, but it is sad in a way. He has always seemed like a nice guy as well as a talented driver, even if he did drive for Ferrari, and his accident in Hungary was one of the largest shames in recent years. Like other posters, I can't help but feel that this is essentially a retirement from Formula One for him. Indeed, I think it would be best for a driver with 11 wins to go out on a high at his home circuit.

Wish him best of luck wherever he does.

Adam Cooper (Autosport):

"A Ferrari insider tells me: 'We gave Feli the chance to express his feelings, he was very keen to send a personal note'."

https://twitter.com/...516796250570753

Indeed a nice move by them.

I expect to see Felipe in a Sauber next year, with Hulkenberg leaving to Lotus or possibly a seat in Wiliams if Maldonado goes to Lotus (tho thats a bit scary tbh..)

But if those wont happen im pretty sure he retires, just cant see how anyone would drive for caterham or the likes after so long time at Ferrari.

Anyhow, even if I never really liked him, I guess its good manners to say thank you as a big Kimi fan, incase he does leave (and possibly reads this thread). He did play his role in that 2007 WDC.

I think 2009 was his best season actually. He wasn't making many mistakes, and it seemed like he was driving with the confidence of a champion. I really wish we had the chance to see whether he could drag that car to victory like Kimi did. 

Exactly, in 2009 Massa was supreme, he was dragging the F60 like Alonso with the F150 or the F2012 during the first race. For me, 2009 was his best season by far. That year he had so many retirement or reliability problem while he was on the podium.

Like others, i want him to go away but now i feel sad. For me, the resum of is career is :

Hungary 08

Brazil 08

Hockenheim 10.

He could be a WDC driver and now he will retire with Ferrari like a Barrichello. The worst is it's a piece of Barrichello car who kill his career. He is better than that. I hope he will be at Lotus or Force India ( Sauber it's dead ), a good midfield car where he can shine once again.

I really hope he will not finish at Marussia like a Glock... He is better than that.

Adam Cooper (Autosport):
"A Ferrari insider tells me: 'We gave Feli the chance to express his feelings, he was very keen to send a personal note'."
https://twitter.com/...516796250570753

Indeed a nice move by them.

Edited by Jvr, 10 September 2013 - 20:48.

Massa's attitude immediately after winning the Brazilian Grand Prix of 2008 will, for me, always stand as a fantastic moment of sportsmanship.

His later comments about the season were, at times, somewhat bitter - but given the situation I can certainly sympathize. 'Crashgate' was simply horrible from all angles, and I don't for a minute buy the story that nobody in the team knew about this scheme.

Having said that, in recent seasons I've felt he had become to inconsistent, only finding his form - which was then still very good - under certain circumstances. I'm therefore quite happy to see a change at the Scuderia, but Massa's eight years for Ferrari are no small feat. He had some fantastic drives in those first years, especially around Istanbul, Bahrain and the like - to the point where people were dubbing them "Massa tracks". Good for him!

I hope he finds a new way to enjoy himself, either in F1 or somewhere else!

Keep also in mind, that Shell is now backing KR, and will pay a part of Kimi's salary. Jorma Ollila a Finn, who is now Shell's chairman, might have had something to do with that decision.

Ollila has been with Shell for a long time, though. His chairmanship at Royal Dutch Shell pre-dates Raikkonen's 2007 move to Ferrari.

Edited by Nonesuch, 10 September 2013 - 21:01.

Photo taken Saturday at Monza. Two lost dogs 

Anyway reporter Felipe Motta wrote Nicolas Todt has connections with watchmaker Richard Mille.

The brand is a minority sponsor of Lotus, but also plans to line-up a car next year at DTM.

Edited by V3TT3L, 10 September 2013 - 20:55.

Se non sarà F1 sarà dtm per Felipe però con 2/3 team motorizzati Ferrari vedremo

Good riddance.

Way to show respect, Say what you will about Massa but he did everything Farrari asked of him

He should have won the WDC in 2008 - Crashgate is the biggest disgrace for F1 & FIA.   I hope Massa will write a book some day...  

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=b6nbudb2wLk

People remember what they want to remember. 

 

vanz ‏@CarloVanzini1m

Se non sarà F1 sarà dtm per Felipe però con 2/3 team motorizzati Ferrari vedremo

 

And again. English forum.

Overall Felipe's story at SF was a sad one. Ten years, the first 5 in the shadow of a master, and when in 09 he finally reached his prime, was fully supported from the team and could finally show his talent, that horrible stroke of bad luck in Hungary. Sadly Felipe after it was no more at the top of his game. I see the season from 10 to 13 as a compensation for the great love Felipe showed for the team, SF keeping him also when more performing drivers were avalaible. Now the sum is even. The man was a good one, in interviews etc he seemed to me a really regular family guy, camera shy too. I wish him the best

36 podiums, 15 poles, 11 wins, 14 fastest laps, fantastic record with Ferrari.

I'm not your Massa.