Felipe Massa said today to ESPN Brazil that all other World Champions are better than Jenson Button:

"Hamilton and Alonso are great drivers. Kimi is excellent, I really didnt understand all the critiques that people were throwing at him. When he was on..... all of them are better than Button"

Do you think this is a general perception in Formula 1 among drivers, mechanics and team chiefs?

http://espnbrasil.terra.com.br/automobilis...PEAO+MAIS+FRACO

After that bash on the head, now he's going around bashing everybody?

Well, I agree that Hamilton Alonso and Kimi are superior drivers than button...I mean...for some reason Brawn/Mercedes didn't look that desperate about keeping Button...they seem to find it an acceptable loss....then again I might be wrong but I never rated button that highly...

He is a competent driver, that's what allways comes to my mind when I think of him....capable of delivering when the car is there but not the kind of driver that can make a real diference on his talent alone...

I'm sure this was a rigged question but Massa really seems spooked since the Alonso signing.

That is the general perception here so im not surprised if it would be in the paddock. i must say button did a great job this year, even if ppl still dont give him as much credit as they give to other drivers. i think this lack of confidence on his abilities is the main motivator behind his move to mclaren.

regarding massa, he seems like a different guy. talking way too much

If I were a betting man, I would say yes. The problem is though, In formula one there are so many variables. You need so many different things working for you, not just driving talent and a fast car, to win a championship.

Sadly I think we will see the demise of Button over the next three years. Lewis is supremely talented and Im not so sure Button will be at home behind the wheel of a Mclaren. He has admitted that he prefers an understeery car this year. If the last half decade or so is anything to go by, I would be suprised if nexts year Macca had a tendenacy to understeer rather that oversteer when not idealy balanced.

During his time at honda, and to a degree, Brawn this year I got the impressing Button struggles to get on top of set up changes. I have heard countless interviews where is is complaining of fundemental set up issues, knows what the car is doing wrong, but just cant fix it.

I hope I am wrong about this of course, I would love a great close battle between two champions.

I don't think so. Many drivers have alot of respect for each other. Lewis did praise Jenson for winning the WDC. Obviously quite a few people behind the scene are not impressed about Button given that Rubens has been destroying Button in the 2nd half the season, but not everybody critiques Jenson like that.

Well Felipe, Jenson has something you don't and probably never will, a WDC

What happened to the nice, respectful Felipe ?

I was wondering that myself

The new trash-talking Felipe is more entertaining!

Was wondering the same. Or may be, we are getting to read more Brazilian local news coverage nowadays.

Nah, he just sounds like a dick

No kidding! Especially now that Alonso is on board.

Dream on Massa

maybe he lost a part of the brain that induced sympathy? I know this sounds mean, but im starting to think its true

Especially with the influence of Santander at Ferrari now, he has 0% chance of winning a WDC

If he keeps this up he might get the nickname Moody Massa, But i dont think were at that point yet.

Somehow though i doubt JB gives a shit what some short arsed Brazilian thinks

It was an awful thing that happened to Flippi.

Shouldn't happen to any driver.

However that doesn't change my opinion of him.

I've always regarded him as an arrogant little pr*ck.

This only confirms it.

Show some respect Flippi!

Keep your mouth shut until YOU become WDC.

Not likely with your new team mate.

so he says Alonso, Lewis and Kimi are better drivers than Button. where is the controversy here.. All pundits would tell you the same thing..

Somebody with medical experience did post the other day that Massa's type of brain injury can lead to a lack of inhibition.
It's certainly hard to imagine Massa coming out with stuff like this pre-accident regardless if true or not.

I think the bloke is insecure after his accident (understandable)

He needs to keep bigging himself up (his Raikkonen comments) for his return to banish any doubts that have to be there

I love the new trash talking Massa - will make for an entertaining season!!

He's a bit of place saying that even though he thinks it. But he is right.

But in fairness to Button. I wouldnt write his orbituary just yet. Next seasons regs could very well suit his smooth style. Its usually when faced with slandering like this - a driver gets his revenge. Lets wait and see.

Massa better watch his mouth or JB will set DC onto him, he can do what he threatened to do in Melbourne 08 which is to ''kick seven colours of shit out of the little bastard''

DC has always been all talk just as much as Felipe though.

But I don't know when Massa was ever nice and respectful, if you look at his comments and general attitude in Sauber days he was just as much of a twat.

by the way can you all click on the video link.. I was unable to open it..

Three shades

I'd still expect DC to slap Felipe up though, although given the size of David's jaw Felipe couldn't miss

If he can even reach his jaw....

Exactly!

You're right, just listened to it



DC v Massa

DC was (is) a dick. Massa is frank.

Post the link? Need to hear that again.

Fernando can give him a leg up

Even if I agree with him, Massa talks too much. He is bashing others too much.

It's in my post further up

And Hamilton is a hotdog....

Was Massa referring to arm strength? Because Button doesn't have any biceps.

Is it not the classic case if they are fighting for a cause you agree with, it's great to see drivers speaking out and about this and if you disagree, they should shut up.

Just read your edit. Cool.

I agree with Massa, but that's not to disparage Button as a driver. Winning a WDC, in my view, cements anyone as one of the best.

With that said, it's a really dick move for Massa to slag off a fellow competitor like that. I'm very much coming to the conclusion that he's an insecure jerk.

If it's anything to compare, Karl Wendlinger's wife once said her husband became much more talkative after his Monaco crash (1994).

His comments would have more credance if he could actually name himself in the list, but he can't

lack of inhibition is one of three possible outcomes of frontal lobe damage.

Agreed. I hope JB kicks Flippi's ass on the the track next season with his his new toy.

JB with his new ride, should be a force to be reckoned with, I think.

Going out on a limb here, but, my prediction is JB WDC 2010.

And Flippi will be nothing but this:

but if he does not speak what is in his mind, which is what most drivers do, we would never know what is his opinion about this. It appears f1 fans only want to hear lies or no comment responses from the drivers.

Is that Hungary 08 ?

I must admit i felt for him that day

I did too, for about a second!

engine failures while leading a race that will end in 3 laps?

well, about what massa said... he probably answered a question... and to be honest, someone really rate Button higher than alonso, hamilton and raikkonen!?

what's so outrageous about his comments? He's just frank. At least when he says X driver is great, you know he actually means it.

I agree with Massa - but it probably isn't the smartest thing to say publicly.