Will Massa be a 'massive' disappointment like Barrichello? - Page 3

Gt_R · 15 Jul 2006, 06:23 (Ref:1656674)

The article also speculate that Rubens would have left Ferrari in 2002, which didn't.

The article showed nothing about having "dog" written in the contract. Ferrari's policy has been clear that both drivers are contracted to perform to the team's benefits (not to Michael's benefit), and if the situation is reversed, Michael has to do the same for his teammate (similar to Irvine in 1999).

It's an old ground to tread on really.

In any case, Ron Dennis's recent statements about how JPM's a contracted driver and can't do anything else due to sponsor obligations and stuff only show how much Ferrari is willing to accomodate to Ruben's wishes to leave for Honda early, when in reality they can just hold him to end of 2006, and Rubens could be left without a drive.

Is Rubens a disappointment? No. He is talented, and he has probably gave us what's possible from him. It is always easy to look poor compared to Michael Schumacher, when beating him for a race weekend is a rare occurence. Similar to Fisichella beating Alonso or JPM beating Kimi doesn't come often. But it takes nothing away from Rubens who showed he is a quick driver and a nice one, and nice is probably the final ingredient that stops him being a real success.

BootsOntheSide · 15 Jul 2006, 10:36 (Ref:1656747)

A lot of the drivers deeks mentions were significantly less expereinced than their team-mates. Rubens went to Ferrari with 7 years' experience compared ot Michael's 8 (or so). If all things had been equal, he would have had no excuse for not matching Michael on a semi-regular basis.

Things weren't equal though, the team's resources were always stacked in Michael's favour - although this is partly because they felt he was the stronger driver, and their career statistics back this up.

**Adam43** · 15 Jul 2006, 13:07 (Ref:1656829)

A single result, but he did well today.

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Jul 2006, 13:19 (Ref:1656841)

Who, Rubens or Filepe?

**Adam43** · 15 Jul 2006, 13:38 (Ref:1656861)

he he. Massa. Although Rubens did beat his team mate.

freud · 15 Jul 2006, 20:39 (Ref:1657072)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Who, Rubens or Filepe?

Hats off to Ferrari.. they have really put the peddle to the meddle.
If Massa can make 2nd on the grid, imagine a Button, a JPM or a Heidfeld driving that Ferrari.

MS is one lucky @#&#^!

ralf fan · 15 Jul 2006, 20:42 (Ref:1657073)

Oh yes.... there is no possibility that Massa actually extracted the maximum possible speed from the Ferrari for once...

Knowlesy · 15 Jul 2006, 20:44 (Ref:1657076)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralf fan

Oh yes.... there is no possibility that Massa actually extracted the maximum possible speed from the Ferrari for once...

Well no he didn't, as Michael was faster.

ralf fan · 15 Jul 2006, 20:51 (Ref:1657080)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Well no he didn't, as Michael was faster.

True but it was a great effort from Massa. I doubt the drivers mentioned by freud couldve done a better job than what Felipe did today. You cant fault him he was on it....

Knowlesy · 15 Jul 2006, 20:54 (Ref:1657085)

Quite right, hence nobody is really faulting him as such.

Massa has upped his game and it is of great benefit to the team.

freud · 15 Jul 2006, 21:07 (Ref:1657096)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralf fan

Oh yes.... there is no possibility that Massa actually extracted the maximum possible speed from the Ferrari for once...

On a positive note.. I am glad that Massa is showing that he can extract something out of a something. Good thing is that he is proving that he can keep the car on the track, without actually ramming into someone else or sliding into the gravel. I hope someone doesnt run into him tommorow when he circles that beautiful red car around the circuit.

On another note, I also hope he makes an excellent start and beats Michael in the first corner and does not faithfully and passionately protects MS's back. Or even if he does Brawn will get to poor Massa during the first Pitstop (6.7 for MS and 7.5 for Massa)...

It will be an interesting race and no doubt Massa will do well since the car/tyre combo looks devastating.

Knowlesy · 15 Jul 2006, 21:13 (Ref:1657099)

Well, at the end of the day, Michael is behind in the championship and if team play is necessary, it will have to be done as there is a 19 point gap to bridge. It's not like Michael is 40 points ahead or something.

Nothing scandalous in that.

DeoValente · 15 Jul 2006, 21:13 (Ref:1657100)

Well at Indy Massa did beat Shumi at the start and it was great to see actually. WHo knows what wil happen tomorrow

freud · 15 Jul 2006, 21:14 (Ref:1657101)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Well, at the end of the day, Michael is behind in the championship and if team play is necessary, it will have to be done as there is a 19 point gap to bridge. It's not like Michael is 40 points ahead or something.

Nothing scandalous in that.

Nothing scandolous.. except for the fact that Renault did not do that cheap trick at Indianapolis and let Fisi beat Alonso.

Things like these gain you respect..

**Bononi** · 15 Jul 2006, 21:18 (Ref:1657105)

The start at Magny-Cours is always complicated, Massa has a difficult job tomorrow barring the opposition to let TGF keep the lead. Hope that doesn't end in the gravel trap...

freud · 15 Jul 2006, 21:26 (Ref:1657111)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

The start at Magny-Cours is always complicated, Massa has a difficult job tomorrow barring the opposition to let TGF keep the lead. Hope that doesn't end in the gravel trap...

I suspect that as well. It will be tough for Massa as he will be alongside MS. The first corner is very fast and then a long straight and then braking. Poor Alonso will have to remain very careful as Massa can potentially waive on the long straight to block him and let MS keep the lead. Its tough for Massa as well as he has to look at both of his mirrors constantly.

Knowlesy · 15 Jul 2006, 21:28 (Ref:1657115)

Well freud, if they had held Fisi to Alonsos pace then both Renaults would have been on course for much lower points scores.

By letting Fisi get ahead, it benefitted the team.

If Michael is running years off the pace and Alonso is threatening both cars, then I'm sure Massa will whizz past. After all Ferrari want to win the individual races too!

As for the start tomorrow, Massa will be glad that the first corner dash is a short one....but Alonso will attack him into the hairpin vigorously. So some strong defensive driving is on the cards.

freud · 15 Jul 2006, 21:37 (Ref:1657122)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Well freud, if they had held Fisi to Alonsos pace then both Renaults would have been on course for much lower points scores.

By letting Fisi get ahead, it benefitted the team.

Interesting way to look at the renault Indianapolis decision. I do think had Renault decided to keep Alonso upfront and Fisi protect Alonso's back as well as block Trulli, then Trulli would never have beaten Alonso. Infact Renault would have finsihed 3 and 4.

Anyway, that can probably be discussed in another thread.

**Bononi** · 15 Jul 2006, 21:37 (Ref:1657123)

Well then Massa will be massively attacked...

freud · 15 Jul 2006, 21:38 (Ref:1657124)

Lets hope Massa doesnt massively block any driver and disrupt the race flow. There are a number of fast toyotas nearby as well.

OZ_HCR32 · 16 Jul 2006, 00:14 (Ref:1657187)

Im hoping Massa will get off the lien well and lead for a phase or two. Whats the WDC points score again? So expect a pit stop problem or a strange resonance in the engine that means he will have to drop rpm

So thats a few GPs now where he is in the show...good luvk to him, wish him all the best.

Whilst i think the 2nd Ferrari seat is a tough one to occupy, i think ppl are selling the fact that he is the 2nd driver far too short. They could get almost any talent they like to fill that seat. The chose Massa so im happy to go on believing that he is better then ppl suspect

Gt_R · 16 Jul 2006, 03:02 (Ref:1657212)

Massa will be made to perform to the benefit of Ferrari's WDC challenge, simple as that. The start will be a tricky one, i think it's possible that Massa will get a good (better than MS) start, but will let him through after the hairpin.

Alonso had hinted that he had little risk to lose compared to his rivals, and i believe that was directed to MS and Alonso's attempt to pull one in qualifying shows that Alonso know his points advantage give him an additional edge when wheel-to-wheel with MS. However, i think Alonso would be wary against the 2nd Ferrari, hence it's important for Massa to be between the two cars.

19 is still a huge gap, and let's just hope the gap can be halved going into the final third of the season.

Skam85 · 16 Jul 2006, 04:22 (Ref:1657225)

My opinion on Indy is Michael let Massa take the first corner, he is more confident of his own abilities of keeping Alonso behind than Massa's. Don't be surprised to see this again.

deejay · 16 Jul 2006, 04:52 (Ref:1657228)

Quote:

Originally Posted by freud

On a positive note.. I am glad that Massa is showing that he can extract something out of a something. Good thing is that he is proving that he can keep the car on the track, without actually ramming into someone else or sliding into the gravel.

I think you're living in the distant past with regards to Massa. His last year and a half at Sauber he showed massive improvements in maturity - coupled with his already known speed - which is why he got the Ferrari seat. People who are surprised to see him up the front in a competitive car just weren't paying attention well enough.

Dani Filth · 16 Jul 2006, 07:45 (Ref:1657252)

and they forget he put the car on the first row in his first race for Ferrari ..

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