Massa’s chance to shine at home of Ferrari

52 comments on “Massa’s chance to shine at home of Ferrari”

1. 

   Antonio Nartea (@tony031r)
   8th September 2012, 19:15

   “Felipe has a huge opportunity to win the race tomorrow, for him, for us, for his future.”

   That’s right, put even more pressure on Massa. There’s no way that can possibly go wrong / affect his performance in any way…
   Montezemolo went in a couple of months from “we support Felipe” to “Felipe’s place at Ferrari is not certain” to “Felipe is racing for his future tomorrow”. Silly…
   1. 

      vickyy (@vickyy)
      8th September 2012, 19:29

      But shouldn’t Ferrari be appreciated for their patience with Massa. Last 3 years point difference between him and Massa says it all.
      1. 

         vickyy (@vickyy)
         8th September 2012, 19:30

         *him and alonso
      2. 

         Antonio Nartea (@tony031r)
         8th September 2012, 20:22

         Yes, they should. And if they decide to fire Massa based on his lack of results, they have every right to.

         I just have a problem with Luca Di Montezemolo’s flamboyant speeches, always coming at the worst possible time. It’s like he’s the god of things that don’t need to be said and get said anyway.

         It’s a well known fact that Felipe doesn’t cope well under pressure. 2010 and 2011 are proof. Massa is in a good spot to take a home victory for Ferrari tomorrow, something that might restore his credentials with the press and he is very well aware of the fact that a good to great race here would increase his chances of staying with Ferrari in 2013 dramatically. I’m sure at the moment that’s all he thinks about. He doesn’t need an angry Montezemolo to tell him something that could be interpreted as: “we know you don’t have it in you and it’s unlikely to happen, but we mucked Fernando’s car up and now we’re just hoping…do your best, ok?”
         1. 

            ch
            8th September 2012, 22:41

            Luca is comic opera. Politics for sure would suit him.

            Felt sorry for Massa, he finally gets to the top-three interview room and I think the first question put to him was “What happened to Alonzo’s car??” After Singapore, the near-miss of championship, and Hockenheim I just hope more positive comes for him.
   2. 

      verstappen (@verstappen)
      8th September 2012, 20:59

      I hope Felipe wins
   3. 

      FlyingLobster27
      8th September 2012, 21:12

      Erm, missing words in there – “Felipe has a huge opportunity to move over and let Fernando win the race tomorrow, for him [Fernando], for us, for his future.” If of course Fernando can make the places up.
      Notwithstanding the cynicism, I hope Felipe maintains his quali form, it would be nice to see him battle for wins and podiums again.
   4. 

      Becken Lima (@becken-lima)
      8th September 2012, 23:27

      “…Silly…”

      If he can´t cope with pressure, F1 is not the place to be.
   5. 

      Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
      8th September 2012, 23:50

      Massa’s recent performances rather negate the image of earlier in the year that he must be ditched by Ferrari. The man clearly still has pace; he’s not lost his spirit of competition just yet…
      1. 

         Kingshark (@kingshark)
         9th September 2012, 3:57

         Thing about Massa is, that in terms of raw pace he hasn’t been really behind Alonso ever since China. However, things rarely go his way and only four or five times this season he’s actually been able to string a perfect weekend together without hitting trouble.

         Disclaimer: I am certainly not arguing whether Massa is really better than Alonso.
2. 

   tmekt (@tmekt)
   8th September 2012, 19:21

   I find it a bit interesting that even though was something broken with Alonso’s car he still managed to beat Massa in 1st ans 3rd sectors and be the the fastest one in sector 3.
   1. 

      ZanteX (@zantex)
      8th September 2012, 19:36

      Those must be the personal best sectors of drivers through the session. Add them all up, and Hamilton has a 1:23.7, Button and Alonso 1:24.0. ;)
   2. 

      Mr draw
      8th September 2012, 19:44

      The figures are based on his Q2 time I guess.
      1. 

         tmekt (@tmekt)
         8th September 2012, 20:42

         Oh… Nevermind then
3. 

   tmekt (@tmekt)
   8th September 2012, 19:22

   *and
4. 

   Roger Camp (@rogercamp)
   8th September 2012, 19:22

   This race could be the closest so far among the top 5 drivers. I think it will be impossible to beat McLarens, unless a reliability issue hits them. It will be interesting to see a fight for the 3rd place. I don’t believe it will be any Merc nor Ferrari. I think it will be Vettel or Kimi. It will be very tight and exciting.
   1. 

      Tete
      8th September 2012, 21:29

      i disagree. Alonso was faster than both mclaren. I still have a feeling that with some dnf’s a great start by the end of lap 1 Alonso could be 5 or around that place. Then he can and most likely will challge for the race win. I have a gut feeling he might even win the race. What it really caught my attention and that based on the reports the chassis crashed last week was not used and that they brought a new chassis. With that chassi te engine , a part of the brake and he gear box broke down. Today the part that broke impeded Alonso from scoring the pole . So I just can’t understand why the Ferrari crew did not double Chaco every single part of Alonso’s car when they were putting it together, and after it suffered the mechanical failures. They have to do better when their driver is leading the wdc by his own merit , and is being chased down by at least 5 other driver from 3-4 different teams.
   2. 

      @HoHum (@hohum)
      8th September 2012, 23:54

      As Keith pointed out, Massa is a great starter, if he is leading through the first turn he will be hard and dangerous to pass, giving others an opportunity to attack the McLs and swap places through the front half of the field.
      1. 

         lubhz (@lubhz)
         9th September 2012, 12:28

         my only wish is for felipe baby to get a podium.
5. 

   Dimitris 1395 (@dimitris-1395)
   8th September 2012, 19:25

   Anyone remember the 1998 Austrian Grand Prix? The two McLarens were in front, behind him was Irvine and further back after an accident which broke the nosecone of his car, M.Schumacher Ferrari was quicker all weekend long for first time that season. Irvine was around 2 seconds behind the McLaren in an equal pace and he could go faster and catch them. Though he waited for Schumacher to overtake him and gain more points in the championship battle. But the race finished and Schumacher could only do 3rd, half a minute behind. The similarities are many and that is, in my opinion, what is going to happen tomorrow.
   1. 

      Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
      8th September 2012, 23:57

      @dimitris-1395 good point except that in a first time Ferrari will ask Massa to go ahead if he can. Because Massa winning is a bigger advantage to Alonso than Massa giving him his place. A win would take point away from McLaren mainly while costing fewer point to Alonso … So depends on relative positions from Massa and Alonso but also from WDC rivals.
6. 

   Valentino (@valentino)
   8th September 2012, 19:25

   The part that broke on Alonso’s car cost 1 Euro.
7. 

   carbon_fibre (@carbon_fibre)
   8th September 2012, 19:37

   Man, I will scream like a little girl if Massa wins tomorrow.

   By the way, Ferrari better double-check Alonso’s car before the race…
8. 

   Postreader
   8th September 2012, 19:44

   I expect a FIFTY event tomorrow (Fernando is faster than you…)
   1. 

      JB (@)
      8th September 2012, 20:28

      Well…. those are legal now so… should it make a difference??
   2. 

      infy (@infy)
      8th September 2012, 22:26

      We can only hope!
9. 

   The Last Pope (@the-last-pope)
   8th September 2012, 20:13

   Did I really hear Gary Anderson mention that the two Mclarens could agree to switch position with DRS each lap to boost themselves away from the rest of the field? Is that really possible?? I know the rules allow it, but how advantagous would that actually be?
   1. 

      Dizzy
      8th September 2012, 20:32

      If any team did that I would honestly switch off the TV.

      Was bad enough seeing the stupid DRS passing/re-passing at Abu-Dhabi last year.
      1. 

         AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
         9th September 2012, 11:22

         Why? That’s one hell of a strategic ploy and a brilliant one at that if it works. It’s a team sport!
   2. 

      Antonio Nartea (@tony031r)
      8th September 2012, 20:33

      I seriously doubt that if Hamilton keeps first place after the first couple of corners he won’t try to instantly pull away from Button and the lot. We’re in a season where every point counts and Button is, at the time, one of Hamilton’s closest rivals for the WDC. If Massa can afford helping Alonso and blindly follow Ferrari’s orders now, as he has nothing left to lose, the guys at McLaren don’t share this “luxury”.
   3. 

      Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
      8th September 2012, 22:05

      I’d like to see that – a positive example of team-work, which has gained a negative reputation in F1 with team-mates in front being moved over, lapped cars holding up leaders and so on.

      It’s a good old oval racing tactic – two teammates were putting it to good use to pull out a gap near the end of this year’s Indy 500 (Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon). That’s proper drafting, though – not the artificial DRS kind, but no doubt they did it at Monza too, back in the day.

      The McLaren drivers are skilful enough to make it work – even if Hamilton’s recent actions out of the car have suggested he’s not the sharpest tool in the box, once the visor’s down he’s been impressive this year (I’m thinking of his tyre conservation).

      I think their biggest threat (and possibly the other teams’ only hope) is if Massa makes his good start and gets in among them. Or the cantankerous old git who’s sharing row two with him. Remember how difficult he was to pass last year at Monza – or last week at Spa…
10. 

    Ilanin (@ilanin)
    8th September 2012, 20:28

    The speed of the Ferraris around the Parabolica suggests they have more downforce than everybody else. This also ought to help Massa and Alonso into the first corner tomorrow, but the lack of straightline speed (at least compared to the McLarens) could be costly thereafter.
    1. 

       Antonio Nartea (@tony031r)
       8th September 2012, 20:39

       About that first corner, I seriously hope Alonso won’t get in a tangle again. I don’t like the looks of those 4 to 7 rows at the start. With Kobayashi and Di Resta usually getting poor starts and so many relatively fast drivers immediately behind them: Alonso, Webber, Perez, Senna, Maldonado further back etc. who will try to make up positions right at the start. It might turn ugly again.
11. 

    Lin1876 (@lin1876)
    8th September 2012, 21:42

    I would so dearly love to see Massa win tomorrow after the seasons he has had lately. However, I think the McLarens will prove too fast over a race distance so, unless they hit trouble, Felipe will probably be looking at 3rd. Hardly a bad result, though.

    I suspect Alonso’s immediate plan will be to survive the first lap without incident. It’s fast, it’s narrow and the midfield is very tightly packed. While carnage like we saw at Spa is unlikely, it’s very easy to lose your front wing in all of that, which is the last thing Fernando needs. From there, he probably has the pace to challenge for big points, with 3rd or 4th certainly not out of the question, especially if other front runners hit trouble.

    I think the factor we’re forgetting is that Monza is a car breaker, with the high speeds and heat putting great strain on various components. We’ve seen a number of failures already this weekend, and more are certainly not out of the question.

    I’m not going to say the race has the makings of a classic, but it should be an intriguing battle and well worth watching!
12. 

    Umar Majid (@um1234)
    8th September 2012, 21:48

    will be a mclaren one-two if no one flies into them at the first corner tomorow, red bull and lotus especially vettel and raikkonen will make up places tomorow because of their awesome race pace and will fight for the last podium place, alonso will probably finish 5th with the mercs falling behind in the race as usual
13. 

    Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
    8th September 2012, 22:21

    I would be thrilled if Felipe could bring home his long awaited 12th win tomorrow.

    A Massa, Schumacher Raikkonen podium would shake up the championship and have a tinge of wonderful mid 2000’s nostalgia to it.

    Not that I expect a result like that, but hey, a guy can hope!
14. 

    electrolite (@electrolite)
    8th September 2012, 22:43

    Prediction: either Massa or Schumacher will have a flying start to split the McLarens, but then hold everyone up and effectively gift the win to whichever car is ahead.
15. 

    xeroxpt (@)
    8th September 2012, 22:44

    Those speed trap values are so interesting, we were to think that the Mercedes were the quickest because how they line-up on the grid. These results demonstrate the impact of aerodynamics, despite this data the Mercedes engines are still probably the most powerful and that may allow the teams that use Mercedes to run higher downforce, masking the speed trap results but resulting on a grid that is dominated by Mercedes powered engines, having a clear tactical advantage that perhaps goes beyond top end, they might have better drive-ability, as reported by several former drivers like Barrichello, just the most experienced F1 driver.
16. 

    OOliver
    8th September 2012, 23:26

    Nice choice of words to instill confidence in your driver.
17. 

    Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
    8th September 2012, 23:40

    I think you’ve made a slight error @keithcollantine :

    Red Bull had excellent race pace and that could help Sebastian Vettel make progress from tenth on the grid

    I think you’ve tried to say two things in one sentence; it should either read “that helped Vettel make progress from tenth” or “that could help Vettel make progress from fifth on the grid”.
18. 

    F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
    8th September 2012, 23:40

    The straight-line speed disadvantage of the Red Bulls may not be as much of a problem for them as it first appears. It’s less than half the deficit he had last year when he won.

    On that occasion Vettel was over 21kph slower than the quickest drivers in qualifying. But come his shorter gear ratios meant he was better-equipped for the race – something Button pointed out after today’s qualifying.

    ah, but hamilton was crippled by his short gearing in that race. he was lucky to match schumacher’s speed with the draft and drs.

    …another reason i don’t like rev limits.
    1. 

       @HoHum (@hohum)
       9th September 2012, 0:01

       @f1yankee, with you there.
    2. 

       @HoHum (@hohum)
       9th September 2012, 0:04

       Also ” half the deficit he had last year” and half the downforce me thinks.
    3. 

       Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
       9th September 2012, 0:21

       The only problem is without the rev limiters the teams would likely need more engines per season as a result of increased stress on the components. It’s more of a cost than an engineering issue.
19. 

    t3x (@t3x)
    8th September 2012, 23:57

    So if Massa is third with a non championship contenter Like Schumi fourth and Alonso fifth, would Massa give up two spots to let Alonso through? I think he might…
20. 

    robk23 (@robk23)
    9th September 2012, 0:02

    This looks like it might be interesting, it’s going to be a good day with this and the GP3 title decider tomorrow (Evans vs Abt)!
    1. 

       Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
       9th September 2012, 1:06

       I would not have picked Abt for the title a month ago. I thought da Costa was a much better pick.

       Mind you, he basically needs to win and pick up the fastest lap while Evans fails to score in order to be crowned champion.
       1. 

          robk23 (@robk23)
          9th September 2012, 7:42

          Evans starts at the back due to his DNF while Abt starts eighth, it’s unlikely Abt will be champion but its possible from those starting positions. Abt won from 7th yesterday (with the help of problems for Evans and da Costa however).
21. 

    Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
    9th September 2012, 1:04

    Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says Felipe Massa as a “huge opportunity to renew his contract” at Monza.

    I think that’s a little bit more accurate.
22. 

    Himmat Singh.
    9th September 2012, 4:40

    I am no fan of Ferrari, but alas I hope Massa wins tomorrow. He needs it. He even deserves it I think. For too long a time he has suffered in the shadows on the ‘mighty’ and highly snobbish Alonso. Who does that clown thinks he is? Mocking his team mate who qualified 3rd by saying “I could’ve gone 5 tenths quicker than Lewis”.
    1. 

       AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
       9th September 2012, 11:29

       He has out qualified Massa every race except this one this season. Even Massa would struggle to defend that one. He is a better driver and has delivered more success to the team. Massa only deserves it if Ferrari deem him good enough, it isn’t a charity.
23. 

    AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
    9th September 2012, 11:26

    I can’t see Massa winning this on unfortunately, by virtue of Hamilton being ahead of him. I think Massa could beat Button but that might be about the best of it.

    I’m intrigued to see what Schumacher can do from 4th. He usually makes good starts. Whether or not the car will fall to bits is another question!

    Alonso, hmmmmm. I reckon he will do well. He’s a smart racer and I can only imagine him having a headache if he runs up behind Vettel. I wouldn’t put a podium out of the question for him and Ferrari are likely to use Massa to aid him in that mission (and rightfully so).

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