[asr245]

Originally Posted by sa_kiran

Ferrari are smart, they may give out a feeling that drivers are dictate the show; Schumacher or Alonso. But in reality, that will not be the case. When they have the power to dictate to FIA, why will they be dictated by drivers?

Well, for one, they do not want a situation like Mclaren had in 2007 and a few decades before with Senna & Prost. But they are not stupid. They know Alonso is amongst the best out there (if not the best) and so they want to keep him happy. If they get a 2nd driver, who's a few tenths off him most of the time, they will grab him immediately. If Massa had been doing that job properly, there wouldn't be any talk of replacing him. Problem is (or was) that Massa was so far off that it was as good as running a single car - he was neither fetching WCC points nor in a position to help Alonso. Now if the improvements he has shown lately are anything to go by, his place will be dead certain.

[polopm]

PDR has not shown anything substantial to warrant a drive at Ferrari. Massa is not doing great either, but is the car great? I don't think so.

Alonso has worked like a fox and chipped away points while all the others floundered.
RBR will eat Ferrari will for breakfast, lunch and supper. OMG, I dread to see the finger after the race. :(

[iceman7]

Originally Posted by GTO

Lets leave aside Fernando Alonso.

This Sunday was Massa's FIRST podium in 35 races and 2 years. In a Ferrari. Enough said.

If Ferrari renews his contract, that just shows how bad things currently are at Ferrari. Fonso is leading the championship in a truck; why is the car's development so slow? Red Bull is going to eat them for lunch now, with 5 races to go.

Well... Yes and No. While that statistic is true, it is slightly misleading too. Massa finished 11 of 19 races last season at P6 and above. No podium finisher (I agree) but he did bring home some haul of points. At the same time, Alonso appeared on the podium several times last season and this. But that is testament of how good a driver Alonso is (given that Ferrari is not in it's best avatar).

If Ferrari are looking at a stop gap arrangement for 2013 - given that they have a pre-contract with Webber for 2014 - they are better off with Massa rather than inducting a new driver for 1 season.

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by iceman7

Well... Yes and No. While that statistic is true, it is slightly misleading too. Massa finished 11 of 19 races last season at P6 and above. No podium finisher (I agree) but he did bring home some haul of points. At the same time, Alonso appeared on the podium several times last season and this. But that is testament of how good a driver Alonso is (given that Ferrari is not in it's best avatar).

If Ferrari are looking at a stop gap arrangement for 2013 - given that they have a pre-contract with Webber for 2014 - they are better off with Massa rather than inducting a new driver for 1 season.

He's not in the team to score just to finish in the top 6. He has been upto half a tenth of Alonso's pace in the past. Not acceptable clearly.

Dont think there is a pre contract with Webber, they offered him a drive for 2013 but he chose to stay with Red Bull.

[polopm]

Originally Posted by Hatari

He's not in the team to score just to finish in the top 6. He has been upto half a tenth of Alonso's pace in the past. Not acceptable clearly.

Dont think there is a pre contract with Webber, they offered him a drive for 2013 but he chose to stay with Red Bull.

Yep, Webbo realized that a shot to the championship glory was more probable at RBR rather than Ferrari due to the fact:
1. He has to play second fiddle to Nando
2. The car has not been great anywhere since last 2-3 years and might not be for 2013 since most of the rules were going to continue..

Massa clearly has been off pace and now I think Ferrari don't have any other option but to retain his services. What is PDR's sterling contribution so far other than the DTM crown couple of years back ? Sorry to say that Ferrari have to chose between the devil or the deep sea

[sa_kiran]

Originally Posted by polopm

Yep, Webbo realized that a shot to the championship glory was more probable at RBR rather than Ferrari.

What is PDR's sterling contribution so far other than the DTM crown couple of years back ?

Not a shot at championship glory, but a few race wins. Let us accept that Webber is not WDC material. Not everybody gets to be a Jenson.

Yes, PDR has not contributed. But the rumor mill started with him and Hulkenburg both being linked to Ferrari. Now that Ferrari are not interested and Hulkenburg being linked to Sauber, PDR will have spend time in FIF1, if the team manages to stay afloat next year and pays salaries!

[iceman7]

Now confirmed - Massa to stay at Ferrari for 2013 - http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin.../10/13932.html