Massa: 1st quarter report card

Kirk · 15 May 2006, 17:05 (Ref:1610793)

Massa, imo, has done well with Ferrari to date. I'm not surprised and I expect him to continue, but is it enough for him to retain his seat? Probably, its too early yet and much depends on MS and Kimi (maybe even Rossi

), but what do you think?

If Ferrari decide to let him go, I think he will have options. What is his fate?

Raven · 15 May 2006, 17:18 (Ref:1610809)

To be blunt, I don't see that he belongs in a top team.

Yeah, he's banked some decent points finishes, a podium and a front row start - but that's just the nature of the beast in F1. Now we have Raikkonen looking average in a car not able to compete at the front. Same as MS last season.

pink69 · 15 May 2006, 17:22 (Ref:1610811)

He's done ok, but it helps the car is the second best out there. Good pace but prone to the odd mistake, ah la Bahrain! If Kimi signs he'll be out on his ear!

**John Turner** · 15 May 2006, 17:24 (Ref:1610813)

Yes, but however good the equipment is, you have to know how to use it. Early days yet, but he's surprised me in a positive way, so I'll say 'above average, so far; must consolidate his position, 7/10'.

brands · 15 May 2006, 17:27 (Ref:1610817)

From what I've seen this year I would still rate Massa in the 3 group of current F1 drivers, along with the likes of Fisi, Rubens, Webber etc

He's a good driver and seems to have stopped throwing it off the track in recent races but I can't see him ever beating the best drivers, Alonso, Kimi and MS, in equal cars.

He is what he was signed up to be, a good second driver.

Marbot · 15 May 2006, 17:27 (Ref:1610818)

Certainly a better 'rear gunner' than Fisi.

BootsOntheSide · 15 May 2006, 17:47 (Ref:1610830)

We never really established whether the race incident at Melbourne was his fault - the idea that it was makes a big difference to the perception of his season. Now that the car is the best or 2nd best out there, Felipe is showing quite strongly - comparing more closely to Fisichella than Michael is to Fernando, which is surprising. No doubt that Kimi would do better with the same car, but I'm sure he's living up to expectactions. It could be that the team are willing to allow Michael right up to the last minute to decide whether to continue for 2007 because they know they have Felipe as a fall-back option.

goodhorsehymn · 15 May 2006, 18:01 (Ref:1610836)

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyn bott

Certainly a better 'rear gunner' than Fisi.

Yup.

I think he's done a solid job so far. A good number 2.

**Bononi** · 15 May 2006, 19:16 (Ref:1610887)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk

Massa, imo, has done well with Ferrari to date. I'm not surprised and I expect him to continue, but is it enough for him to retain his seat? Probably, its too early yet and much depends on MS and Kimi (maybe even Rossi

), but what do you think?

If Ferrari decide to let him go, I think he will have options. What is his fate?

That is still a big question, though he seems to be pretty confident in his future...

kipper · 15 May 2006, 19:30 (Ref:1610900)

I don't think Massa has done a bad job so far this year; I can't see him as ever being a championship contender although I think he fits well into the second driver role, such as Barrichello, Irvine, Patrese, etc. If Ferrari doesn't retain him I can't quite see where he will fit in, as I would imagine that McLaren and Renault would be off limits. Therefore, a drive with Williams, Toyota or BMW maybe more likely.

Knowlesy · 15 May 2006, 19:35 (Ref:1610903)

He's been OK after a somewhat wild start.

6.5 out of 10 for me. Fast but ultimately not fast enough and still inconsistent. A good number two though.

Louis B. · 15 May 2006, 19:39 (Ref:1610911)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven

To be blunt, I don't see that he belongs in a top team.

To be blunt, he is already doing much better than RB and Irvine. BTW, he made the fastest lap yesterday.

Kirk · 15 May 2006, 19:42 (Ref:1610914)

Well I disagree Kipper. He has steadily improved and has raw speed, something that cannot be taught. His setup ability is a bit of an unknown, but I have no doubt that he can be a top driver and will be. Me thinks that Ferrari are going to find it difficult to part company with him as he proves his worth this season. Perhaps a one-year deal with RBR might be an option if Kimi does sign at Ferrari next year and MS doesn't retire.

Knowlesy · 15 May 2006, 20:04 (Ref:1610940)

I have to disagree Louis on the basis that he spun out of two of the first three races, hasn't won a race and has done little that can be termed majorly noteworthy.

And it's a little early to be comparing him to those Ferrari stalwarts!

Mr V · 15 May 2006, 20:09 (Ref:1610943)

I think he's doing ok, Nearly pipping Michael for pole @ Bahrain and beating Michael to the flag @ Malaysia was pretty impressive, especially when you consider that Massa was on a one stopper and starting from the back of the grid.

It took Rubens 23 races to beat Michael in a race, it took Felipe 2.

ralf fan · 15 May 2006, 20:42 (Ref:1610980)

He has done well.... wild start but he has been solid if not spectacular since then....
Still to early to say if he is better than Rubens and Irvine....

**Bononi** · 15 May 2006, 21:05 (Ref:1610999)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk

Well I disagree Kipper. He has steadily improved and has raw speed, something that cannot be taught. His setup ability is a bit of an unknown, but I have no doubt that he can be a top driver and will be. Me thinks that Ferrari are going to find it difficult to part company with him as he proves his worth this season. Perhaps a one-year deal with RBR might be an option if Kimi does sign at Ferrari next year and MS doesn't retire.

Well, since Imola, Massa has a new engineer. Actually not new, but the same he had when he was a test driver (I can't remember his name, but he's not italian, IIRC) so he had significantly improved in that aspect. It's been said that there were "communication difficulty" between he and the previous one, and Massa was always very good in setting up the car when testing, so the decision was "natural".

rocketracer · 15 May 2006, 23:11 (Ref:1611076)

exactly right bononi - and these are all part of the "settling in" period with a team. But he's been on the pace since race 1, melbourne was his only disappointing race imo (and look at the list of other top name, experienced drivers who have made plenty more fundamental blunders this season than him - think JPM, fisi, rubens)... He has been pretty outstanding imho. dont forget michael has moulded that team around him for a looooong time, and stepping into a car and somewhat keeping pace is no easy feat by any means..

on a side note, he again got off the line better than michael in spain, but obviously braked earlier and let michael take position in the corner, and shepherded MS from any chance of first corner misery from the other drivers. Massa isnt racing to beat michael - whether he could step up into a lead driver role with the team is doubtful, but as a number 2, he gets 8.5/10 for mine... couldnt have expected him to do any more than he's done for a newcomer in the team... he will only get better throughout the season too - i expect canada to be where he will really hit his stride..

JeremySmith · 16 May 2006, 00:23 (Ref:1611092)

I think all things considered Felipe Massa is doing a good job and holding his own, I am pleasantly surprised I have to say..

Sultan · 16 May 2006, 01:14 (Ref:1611098)

Personally, I thinks he has blinding speed, he's just too rough & inconsistent. If he can harness it properly though, I think he'd be right up there....

Mark Webber · 16 May 2006, 03:17 (Ref:1611133)

I don't think his done well at all actually and the seat is being wasted
out of ten mmmm 4/10

Dutton · 16 May 2006, 04:32 (Ref:1611163)

Isn't this a 1st Third report?

I think he has been decent, if a bit erratic. It seems like he may have got rid of the latter, here is hoping, but it looks promising.

I think 7/10 is a fair estimation.

(That fastest lap in Barca was quite something: zaap, out of nowhere...If he could do that more often, and on more laps, then that would be good.)

Louis B. · 16 May 2006, 14:45 (Ref:1611570)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

I have to disagree Louis on the basis that he spun out of two of the first three races, hasn't won a race and has done little that can be termed majorly noteworthy.

And it's a little early to be comparing him to those Ferrari stalwarts!

Now I really don't understand. You had convinced me that spinning out was irrelevant in one's evaluation.

Kirk · 16 May 2006, 15:37 (Ref:1611601)

One thing is certain in my mind. His pace surpasses those "Ferrari stalwarts" and after only 6 races.

There is something of a conflict between he, his manager and the team, which so far has remained peaceful. The main question in my mind is how long will he tolerate helping MS to the point of compromising his own future? I had thought that Ferrari would be less stringent in thier approach to Massa and the team concept, but things seem as bad as ever. My advice to Filipe: once you get the lead, don't turn back and whatever you do, turn off that radio.

Explain later.

**chunterer** · 16 May 2006, 16:38 (Ref:1611643)

I'm with the 'for' rather than the 'against' argument.

He certainly hasn't disappointed me.

The main point is that yes, in his second race he beat MS fair and square and as has been rightly said it took the other guys before him many more races to do that.

He has been a bit erratic but i'd put it down to his being mad keen to show what he can do but that erratic side has already mainly disappeared judging by his last 3 races which were solid and did pretty much all that was expected of him on those days.

In fact I think that the mangement will give him as much chance as possible to take MS on to so that he can be sure of keeping his seat.

The team have already pretty much admitted they ain't surprised by his pace and proximity to MS in qual, now they just need him to maintain that all weekend. I wouldn't be surprised if he sneaks a win as well.

The most recent quotes from Todt (need to ensure the team is set for the future or something) seem to suggest that MS will in fact pack it in and Felipe will probably be joined by Kimi or another younger driver?

I'll give him a 7 or 8 out of 10

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