99 replies to this topic

[DutchQuicksilver]

I think Massa might do a Fisichella by going to Force India and rejuvenate himself as a consistent scorer with less pressure.

 

Sutil has been shite this season.

If Sutil's been shite, what's Di Resta been then? Even more shite?

[F1Gui]

Massa should spend 2 years rallying then make a comeback in F1. Who knows.. Doors might open?

[expert]

I have no pretense to know what his options realistically are, but I think Felipe has nothing to lose by trying his luck with a mid field team - especially with the rule changes.  I think he should back himself against the other drivers currently loitering in those teams.  He has struggled against Alonso, but in the last 12 months at least I think he has regained a respectible performance level.  Alonso is exceptional.  Kimi has his hands full.  I think Massa still has a lot to offer a mid field team trying to make some progress.  Comparisons to Coulthard and Fisichella before him are very valild. 

 

And what about Rubens.  People are using that "post ferrari life" comparison as a negative for some reason, seemingly forgetting that Rubens move to Honda eventually led him to race winning again with Brawn.  Felipe has a lot of opportunitinies yet to surprise some people.

 

So yes, if he can get in at Lotus, Force India, Sauber, or even Williams, then why not.   Forza Felipe!

Edited by expert, 11 September 2013 - 20:52.

[GerardF1]

Brazilian TV

[SUPRAF1]

If Massa goes to Lotus instead of Hulkenburg I will be really disappointed. I think his era is over and he should retire from F1.

[Tonka]

Massa has had his time at the top.  Time to move on to tin-tops or retire.  Massa has nothing to offer another F1 team, he's the shell of the driver he was before the accident.

[SR388]

I wouldn't mind seeing him in NASCAR.

[J2NH]

Massa was never the same after the accident.  Great guy, great driver, go home with your cash and enjoy your life.

 

Whatever you do stay away from Indycar.  I read today that Firestone is working on their tires with the goal of breaking the qualifying lap record of 237 mph for the 100th anniversary of the race in 2016.  Open wheels, closed course with no runoff, equal cars, recipe for disaster.  

[Earthling]

Getting Massa out of Ferrari at his current age is still good, and I would say 1 or 2 years overdue to be able to join another team and reach somewhere with them.

With the recent rumor that Ross Brawn might be buying the shares of Toto Wolff at Williams, and Pat Symonds joining, it could be a good place to be and join against a fast driver like Maldonado.

 

Either Williams or Lotus are my picks... unless he takes a 1 year sabbatical and plays around somewhere, but sticks close to the paddock for a 2015 return. McLaren maybe???

 

And stop saying he's old....

[Jackmancer]

Sauber would do really well for Sauber, Force India or Williams.

The other teams, I don't think he'd fit in. STR want rookies, Caterham/Marussia will kill his motivation and he can't score points with those cars, and Lotus should take Hulkenberg.

[Jackmancer]

Also, Massa is sooner to become test driver for Ferrari (like in 2003) than retire F1 completely.

[Gfhuus]

I'm sure Felipe would be extremely motivated to shine in a midfield team and I believe that with proper support he could be back on the level of his best years. Problem is that there is an abundance of promising drivers, and so little available seats. I don't think there's room in Williams unless they drop Bottas and since so much has been invested in him and he's not doing that badly I kinda doubt it. STR definitely no. FI I doubt also since they've been mainly going for young promising drivers lately, with the exception of Sutil but they had shared history. I don't think Massa wants to go Marussia or Caterham to wither away slowly like Kovalainen, Trulli and Glock. That only leaves Lotus and Sauber. If Sirotkin drives, Sauber would benefit from an experienced driver like Massa, esp. if he can bring sponsors with him. I feel that Lotus should go for Hulk, but again esp. if Massa can bring some extra money on the table it's not like he would be a bad choice. If Lotus were able to bring Kimi back, why not Massa?

 

Reading his comments about aiming for the wdc still sounds unrealistic, but like Rubens and Brawn showed, one should never say never. 

[MustangSally]

Boullier looks surprisingly interested in Massa . . .

Ferrari-engined Lotus? Could that explain the interest?

[Jackmancer]

Sauber would benefit from an experienced driver like Massa, esp. if he can bring sponsors with him.

Indeed, with Gutierrez and Sirotkin I don't think Sauber will score many points in 2014, if any. Massa would be good to have on board.

[CoolBreeze]

I voted different team - Lotus, Sauber, or Williams.

[Shiroo]

Ferrari-engined Lotus? Could that explain the interest?

 

They are trying to deepen bonds with the Renault for months already, and now they would go full ****** and switch to Ferrari engine that is rumored to be pretty shitty? Well that would make absolutely no sense. Though, Lotus sometimes do things (especially strategy) that have absolutely no sense

[Lights]

Reading more and more Massa to Lotus rumors. In principle I just cannot believe that Lotus would be so desperate.

[MustangSally]

Reading more and more Massa to Lotus rumors. In principle I just cannot believe that Lotus would be so desperate.

Rumoured that Rob Smedley is going to Williams. No idea if that is significant.

[OvDrone]

Unfortunately, I think he'll choose to linger around the midfield before trying something new in other worthy series. Anyways, good luck to him.

[BRG]

If Sutil's been shite, what's Di Resta been then? Even more shite?

As he is still 11 points ahead of Sutil, and has led him all season, the answer to that is obviously NO.

 

Sutil is heading for the door again, whether replaced by Massa or Hulkenberg, although frankly I would be happy to see the back of all three of them.

[apoka]

Reading more and more Massa to Lotus rumors. In principle I just cannot believe that Lotus would be so desperate.

 

That would be very surprising indeed. I think Massa had a long career at a top team and think it's better for him to change to a different series.

 

It's silly season, so spreading rumours could be part of the negotiations.

[TT6]

Massa could well be used in a team with new promising talents as a bench mark.

[Lights]

That would be very surprising indeed. I think Massa had a long career at a top team and think it's better for him to change to a different series.

 

It's silly season, so spreading rumours could be part of the negotiations.

 

Good point, it could be. And there is an argument for him leaving F1 altogether after the career he's had but i have the feeling that Massa still feels like he has something to prove.

[Lennat]

He doesn't have a lot to lose. His reputation is low as it is, and it would be good for him to do as Fisi/Coulthard to restore a bit of his old reputation (even if he probably won't ever be considered a top driver again). It would be good for him to have a descent team mate to beat, like Bottas/Sutil/Di Resta/Grosjean...

[RaikkonenZn]

Lotus hopefully - if Lotus have any smarts they must realise they will probably do better with an experienced driver in the cockpit with all these reg changes! I would like to see him given a chance to lead a team without pressure - certainly F1 will be poorer without his and Webbers presence on the grid if he can't get a good enough drive! 

[Schuttelberg]

In my opinion, I don't see Massa getting a competitive seat for the rest of his career. At the moment, his only chance seems to be the Lotus seat that Raikkonen has left vacant, but if I were Eric Boullier, I'd shut my eyes and hand it to Nico Hulkenberg. I really feel he deserves an opportunity in a good car. His record in junior categories is quite impressive. On the other hand, Felipe has had his share of time in the sun. He's spent eight years at Ferrari and while he started off really well, he's left a lot to be desired since his comeback. I don't know if it's low self confidence or whether he'll be rejuvinated in some other team, but even if he was a certified supporting or No.2 driver, he's delivered too little for the machinery he's enjoyed.

 

Good lad, but for my money, he's headed towards retirement. 

[Lights]

He doesn't have a lot to lose. 

I think it boils down to this in what drives him to continue. I actually think he can shine if he gets out of the shadow of a world champion teammate. Of course that would then also have to be seen in perspective.. but still. I just don't know exactly if he cares as much about his reputation as some other drivers do.

 

Honestly, I do hope he finds a place at Sauber or Force India for example, because I suspect he's still solid enough to be a valuable asset for the sport as a whole, and better than some of the rookies that pop up every year.

Edited by Lights, 12 September 2013 - 14:21.

[Radion]

I'd go with Massa/Hulk at lotus.

[HeadFirst]

Desk job and gladhander at Ferrari.

[OvDrone]

I'd go with Massa/Hulk at lotus.

 

I would love that but I think Grosjean still has something to prove.

[Jimisgod]

Hulk > Lotus

Massa > Sauber

[billm99uk]

Massa could well be used in a team with new promising talents as a bench mark.

 

Is that what he wants though? Becoming a punchbag for the up and comers?

[Electric]

Lotus

[Reinmuster]

Hulk > Lotus

Massa > Sauber

 

Agree. Then Massa should retire ironically from team that gave him his first F1 career.

[billm99uk]

Agree. Then Massa should retire ironically from team that gave him his first F1 career.

 

Can someone retire ironically?

[Tron]

So came across rumour that Massa had contact with... McLaren!!!

Please go there!

[discover23]

Could you image if he beats Button comprehensively.. ..

[oetzi]

Hopefully back to Sauber, where continued recovery and a comfortable atmosphere will help him perform.

[weareracing]

Lotus for Felipe, THEN he can race Fernando

[oetzi]

Lotus for Felipe, THEN he can race Fernando

That would be fun.

Edited by oetzi, 17 September 2013 - 00:09.

[F1234]

Possibly Sauber or Williams for his experience? But honestly, I don't see the point of any F1 team persisting with him. I'd take someone such as, say, Glock over him nowadays. Massa is far from his pre-Hungary 2009 level. That was a rotten thing to happen to a generally likeable bloke. It's also worth remembering that he was beating Raikkonen again in the WDC before his injury Hungary 2009. I am all but sure that Alonso would still have beaten Massa as a teammate but if not for that injury, not so comprehensively.

[Tron]

And it's Official. No rumour. Massa is in contact with McLaren. His words.

 

He hopes, and only wants to gets a top drive, and presently negotiations with Lotus have started off well.

 

http://sport.virgili...us-mclaren.html

Edited by Tron, 17 September 2013 - 00:53.

[bourbon]

Lotus would be a great transfer move. 

[g1n]

Don't be silly he is not going back to Sauber.

[Sanman59]

According to Italy’s Autosprint, another option for Massa beyond 2014 is Williams. It is already rumoured that his well-known Ferrari race engineer, Rob Smedley, could be about to return to Britain.

Autosprint floated the theory of Pastor Maldonado taking his PDVSA backing to Lotus, opening the door for Massa at Williams, perhaps with the support of the former F1 and Williams sponsor Petrobras, the Brazilian oil company

[Group B]

Massa has had his time at the top.  Time to move on to tin-tops or retire.  Massa has nothing to offer another F1 team, he's the shell of the driver he was before the accident.

 

Can't really disagree with that. Top driver 5 - 10 years ago, but can't see him getting back there. Time for some tin top fun or a quick blast in carts perhaps.

[DutchQuicksilver]

Even though I firmly believe Massa has lost that extra speed after his accident, I'd still like to see what he can do when Alonso isn't his teammate. Lotus would be a great possibility for him. I'm sure he can beat Grosjean, perhaps not in quali, but surely in race trim.

 

Much rather see Massa at Lotus than Hulkenberg.

[BRG]

Could you image if he beats Button comprehensively.. ..

No.  But there would be some irony if Button thrashed a cast-off Ferrari lap-dog for a second time.

 

And by the way, being 'in touch with McLaren' just means that he or his manager have rung up Woking, who were probably too polite to just tell them to **** off.  I am in touch with McLaren too.  Their number is 01483 261900

[travbrad]

An unlikely scenario, but still:  Massa goes to a midfield team that becomes a top team in 2014.  Massa wins the WDC.   What a great story it would be.

So you're saying Massa is going to Mclaren?  

[Mauseri]

Even though I firmly believe Massa has lost that extra speed after his accident, I'd still like to see what he can do when Alonso isn't his teammate. Lotus would be a great possibility for him. I'm sure he can beat Grosjean, perhaps not in quali, but surely in race trim.

 

Much rather see Massa at Lotus than Hulkenberg.

His gap to Alonso has been about same as to Schumacher.. or even less. Today the field is just closer and small differences can lead to many positions. This year he has qualified maybe the best in comparison with Alonso. Against Schumacher he never really had chance, but looked good on a occasion because of lower fuel loads.

 

If Massa is that close to Alonso in performance, maybe he could do well at Lotus, without the constant demoralizing beating from a WDC teammate.

Edited by Mauseri, 18 September 2013 - 04:59.