146 replies to this topic

[Slackbladder]

Sky Sports F1 ‏@SkySportsF1 2m
Felipe Massa will join Williams in 2014, partnering Valtteri Bottas #skyf1 pic.twitter.com/vIw6EVhN7X

 

 

So Maldy confirmed as out...and Brazilian drivers seem to be following a pattern..

 

How's Williams money looking without the oil money?

[Lord Snooty]

Rather good news; almost the first since the start of the season.

 

Pastor to Lotus? Actually, I wish him well wherever he goes, he may not have had the best of times at Williams but he definitely gave it a go.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/24897809

Edited by Lord Snooty, 11 November 2013 - 15:09.

[Lights]

Positive sign for the financial situation of Williams.

Interesting driver duo.

[bub]

Glad to see him get another chance. Interested to see how this plays out.

[MatParker116]

http://www1.skysport...-bottas-in-2014                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sky are saying Pastor to Sauber.

[David Lightman]

Any news on Rob Smedley moving too? Was rumoured I believe?

[KavB]

Great news. I think a change of team will rejuvenate Massa. I'm excited to see what he can do next year. 

 

I hope Maldonado gets a drive elsewhere. He's extremely quick and deserves to be in F1.

[Zoetrope]

Glad to see Felipe stay. I don't think he is any better than Maldonado at the moment, but surely a lovely guy. Hope Rob follows him 

[Miggeex]

Nice to see how it'll go now when Massa will no doubt get a lot of respect and attention in the team. Might be a bit weird for him to work again with people from so different culture after working for Ferrari. 

[PayasYouRace]

This news makes me happy. One of my favourite drivers in my favourite team.

[Slackbladder]

Any news on Rob Smedley moving too? Was rumoured I believe?

 

Smedley was already going to Williams I think, so it'll be nice those two guys will continue working together.

[Cyanide]

I never really cared about Massa tbh, but somehow i'm really glad he's staying in F1 next year. 

 

It will be interesting to see him perform outside of Alonso and Ferrari's shadow. Hope he can prove his worth. 

Edited by Cyanide, 11 November 2013 - 15:20.

[V3TT3L]

https://twitter.com/...914469976854528

 

We are delighted to announce that our 2014 driver line-up will be @Felipe1Massa and @ValtteriBottas http://www.williamsf1.com/Team/Media/News/The-Williams-F1-Team-announces-its-2014-driver-line-up/ …

 

Edited by V3TT3L, 11 November 2013 - 15:23.

[Anonymous]

Good for him. He can finally race for himself.

Edited by Anonymous, 11 November 2013 - 15:21.

[ensign14]

http://www1.skysport...-bottas-in-2014                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sky are saying Pastor to Sauber.

 

Venezuelan money, Russian money and a link to Chelsea.  Sauber is turning into the Anti-Christ.

[Tonka]

Maldonado in a faster car.  That's worrying.  He's had to learn how to keep out of way this year, I can see him reverting to type if he's closer to the front next year.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

Interesting to note that apparently he was also talking to Mclaren about a 2014 seat too

[Fastcake]

It was looking obvious the past few weeks that Massa would be heading to Williams, and Bottas' seat was never considered to be under threat, so not the biggest surprise there.

 

I'm not entirely sure if it would be best for Massa to just gracefully retire now though, rather than run on for another year or two like Barrichello.

[Bart]

http://www1.skysport...-bottas-in-2014                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sky are saying Pastor to Sauber.

So Esteban's out the door then, since Sirotkin's been guaranteed a drive if he gets his Superlicence.

 

I'm really happy for Massa. He's easily my favourite drive and people easily forget he would have been WDC in 2008 had it not been for crashgate.

[bogi]

 

So happy for Felipe, I hope he will revert back to 2008 spec Massa

[KavB]

It was looking obvious the past few weeks that Massa would be heading to Williams, and Bottas' seat was never considered to be under threat, so not the biggest surprise there.

 

I'm not entirely sure if it would be best for Massa to just gracefully retire now though, rather than run on for another year or two like Barrichello.

Rubens proved in 2009 that there is always a possibility to fight for wins and a title after leaving a top team. I'm not saying Williams are going to pull a Brawn, but they won a race last year and there's always a chance they may make a fast car next year. 

 

Felipe should be wary though. I doubt Williams will keep him on for more than 2 seasons.

[Jvr]

Congratulations and the best of luck to both Massa and Bottas. Both are very nice persons so really like the news a lot.

Edited by Jvr, 11 November 2013 - 15:34.

[Absulute]

Congrats to Felipe.  He seems like a nice guy.

[george1981]

A few years back there was meant to be a copy of the PVDSA contract with Williams leaked on the internet. I had a feeling that Williams had the option to drop Maldonado but keep some/all of the money from PVDSA.

[SenorSjon]

Williams becoming the Brazilian Ferrari retirement home. Who would have said that in 1992. Oh, wait, they did the same with Patrese. So it DOES make sense.

[Sanman59]

 

This news makes me happy. One of my favourite drivers in my favourite team.

Seconded. I think he will be a revelation outside the oppressive Ferrari atmosphere. Rob Smedley will be going with him.

[Kvyat]

So Esteban's out the door then, since Sirotkin's been guaranteed a drive if he gets his Superlicence.

 

I'm really happy for Massa. He's easily my favourite drive and people easily forget he would have been WDC in 2008 had it not been for crashgate.

 

Rumours are that Sirotkin's deal is over and that could mean Gutierrors stays, if Slim keeps putting money on his Mexican drivers and Pastor could take PDVSA's U$30 m to Sauber
 

[jrg19]

Should be good experience for Bottas. 

[danmills]

Williams becoming the Brazilian Ferrari retirement home. Who would have said that in 1992. Oh, wait, they did the same with Patrese. So it DOES make sense.

 

Patrese was Italian 

[Jackmancer]

Great news! I'm happy Bottas can stay too.

[royalblue0]

Any news on Rob Smedley moving too? Was rumoured I believe?

I hope so, I can't imagine his particular style going down too well with Kimi

[R Soul]

Didn't Massa say he would only be interested in driving for one of the top teams?

[Jackmancer]

Williams becoming the Brazilian Ferrari retirement home. Who would have said that in 1992. Oh, wait, they did the same with Patrese. So it DOES make sense.

 

Massa is Williams sixth Brazilian driver, after Ayrton and Bruno Senna, Nelson Piquet, Antonio Pizzonia and Rubens Barrichello.

[OvDrone]

Good, good, I wholeheartedly approve.

[scheivlak]

Patrese was Italian 

And never drove for Ferrari 

[Knot]

Deffo a big step up from Pastor The Disaster.

[Disgrace]

I really think it's a complete waste of a seat, but it appears I'm in a minority.

[Diablobb81]

Meh

[Zava]

Didn't Massa say he would only be interested in driving for one of the top teams?

well...

http://statsf1.com/e...ion/nombre.aspx

[wj_gibson]

Deffo a big step up from Pastor The Disaster.

 

What, Pastor who won a race for them? The current Williams is rubbish; I'm struggling to see what Massa would be doing differently. Slightly better relationship with the team, maybe.

[Kyo]

Massa is Williams sixth Brazilian driver, after Ayrton and Bruno Senna, Nelson Piquet, Antonio Pizzonia and Rubens Barrichello.

Williams wasn't that good for the last 4 Brazilians drivers that went there. Let's see if it will be any better for Massa.

[Nonesuch]

I'm not sure what Massa brings that others can't at this point in his career, but I suppose it is nice for him to continue in F1 for a little while longer. And who knows, Williams could even come up with a half-decent car next year.

 

Should be interesting for Bottas, too.

[Disgrace]

Deffo a big step up from Pastor The Disaster.

 

Massa's Nurburgring and Korean performances this year suggest otherwise. No other driver has such a level of experience yet continues to make such errors.

[Coral]

I'm pleased for both Massa and Bottas.

 

 

I have always felt a little sorry for Felipe-Baby given the situation he found himself in with Alonso at Ferrari, and he has been driving better (than Alonso) lately, so I'm glad he is staying in F1. I think he will fit in well at Williams.

 

I'm glad Bottas is staying as well, as I think he is a promising driver. I hope Williams have a decent season next year with their new engines.

[Knot]

What, Pastor who won a race for them? The current Williams is rubbish; I'm struggling to see what Massa would be doing differently. Slightly better relationship with the team, maybe.

 

The same Pastor who brought home a single point this year. Clearly, he's the Second Coming of Christ!

 

LMAO.

[KavB]

The same Pastor who brought home a single point this year. Clearly, he's the Second Coming of Christ!

 

LMAO.

Maldonado's single point is also Williams only point... 

[V3TT3L]

Massa is Williams sixth Brazilian driver, after Ayrton and Bruno Senna, Nelson Piquet, Antonio Pizzonia and Rubens Barrichello.

And Bruno Junqueira as test driver 

[danmills]

Best Williams lineup next season in a decade. Decent experience and a solid rookie.

 

Add to that Mercedes power, a rulebook shakeup, and you have a recipe for potential leaps forward from now.

 

I am hoping for regular points or consistent top 10 / best of the rest for 2014.

[dau]

The same Pastor who brought home a single point this year. Clearly, he's the Second Coming of Christ!

 

LMAO.

The same Pastor who brought 100% of Williams' points this year, yup.

[Spillage]

I really think it's a complete waste of a seat, but it appears I'm in a minority.

You're not. I want to see exciting talents in the future. As good as he was before his accident, the brutal truth is Massa is never going to be a WDC and its a shame to see him fill a seat that could be taken by some real potential. He's not that quick, he's error-prone and IMO there's very little indication that he can bring much to the table beyond his money. Appreciate that his experience could be valuable to Williams though.

 

I do hope this means Maldonado is not moving to Lotus. It would be an absolute travesty if Hulkenberg does not get that seat. I rate Pastor highly and he deserves a more competitive drive, just not as much as Hulkenberg does. On this basis I hope the Maldonado-to-Sauber deal is true, and that his money means they can jettison Sirotkin and give Gutierrez the second year I feel he deserves.