Felipe Massa says he is unaware of plans by Williams to test Robert Kubica and Paul di Resta as the team evaluates its driver options for 2018.
Massa told the media at today’s FIA press conference at Suzuka he won’t be attending the test. “I don’t know even if it’s true, the test, or not,” he added.
The team will use the 2014-specification car which Lance Stroll has been using for practice to run Kubica and Di Resta. However Massa doubts they will be able to glean much useful information from the running.
“Even if you do a test with a car which is four years before, completely different, cannot evaluate too much as well,” he said. “So it doesn’t change anything for me.”
Massa is in his fourth year with the team and said the test “doesn’t change anything for me” in terms of his chances of returning next year. “Williams know one hundred percent what I can give to the team,” he said.
The 36-year-old said he is “quite keen to do maybe another season” in 2018.
“I think I can give a lot to the team like I did already,” he said. “And I think maybe I can do another year but I don’t decide, the team decides.”
“I’m pretty relaxed. Trying to enjoy the races, trying to give the best to the team and that’s the most important thing. I’m talking with the team, definitely, for next year, and we are in discussions.”
Although Williams “don’t have a deadline” for a decision on next year Massa is keen to know his future before his home race in one month’s time. “Definitely I think it would be good for the team and also for myself that was know maybe before the race in Brazil.”
View the current list of 2018 F1 drivers and teams
stjs16
5th October 2017, 8:05
Massa is now an reasonable midfield driver, I just can’t help thinking that he was on another level before the accident. Is the same true for Robert?
GeeMac (@geemac)
5th October 2017, 8:46
The sad fact of the matter is that, if Martini didn’t need a driver over 25 in one of the cars, Pascal Wehrlein would be a shoe in for this seat. He’s young, quick and had Mercedes links, its a perfect fit.
Jere (@jerejj)
5th October 2017, 9:13
@geemac +1
tonyyeb (@tonyyeb)
5th October 2017, 13:34
Mercedes could match Martini’s sponsorship money if they were that keen to find a seat for him. But I don’t think they are.
OllieJ (@olliej)
5th October 2017, 15:10
@geemac I completely agree. I don’t understand why people aren’t more angry at Martini for destroying a good driver’s career for no reason.
tonyyeb (@tonyyeb)
5th October 2017, 16:07
@olliej Martini need to keep regulators happy by not using young people to promote their product(s). There are plenty of laws around the globe that forbid it. The UK being one of them: https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/alcohol-featuring-under-25s.html
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
5th October 2017, 21:20
I think Massa is better than Wehrlein. Not that I don’t believe Wehrlein will get better over time. Mid season, although Wehrlein qualified ahead of Ericsson quite a lot, the average time gap over all was very small. In this area, Wehrlein was only marginally ahead. And there have been plenty of races where Ericsson has been well ahead of Wehrlein. Wehrlein has made less mistakes and managed some points. But if Ericsson had the luck his team mate did in Spain in Baku, I think he’s have at leased a couple of points. Wehrlein is certainly better than Ericsson on the whole, but not by that much. But I don’t think Ericsson is close to Massa so neither do I think Wehrlein is. If Mercedes had faith that he was good, I think they would have gone for him over Bottas. But this year, he hasn’t really looked very impressive overall. I think Massa’s experience will be more important to the team. I personally think both Kubica and Di Resta are worse choices than continuing with Massa.
Ben Needham (@ben-n)
5th October 2017, 9:03
Stroll has really upped his game since the start of the year. I still don’t rate him as a world beater, but he’s now performing as a solid midfield runner, seems fairly reliable and is still very young. That, coupled with the mountains of cash he brings, means his seat is in no way in danger. He is however a fairly underwhelming “name” to have in the car.
Massa also does a solid job but is totally unspectacular; more so as the years go by. I understand him being in the car this year, but I personally wouldn’t retain him for 2018.
That leaves the seat between Kubica and Di Resta. Frankly, I’d be happy to see either of these drivers return, especially Kubica. I group Di Resta with Jean-Eric Vergne and a few others in the way that they weren’t really given a proper shot. Di Resta and Vergne were only slightly off the pace of Hulkenberg and Ricciardo respectively, drivers who are rated highly, while the other two have been booted from the sport.
My heart would go for Stroll-Kubica, which is certainly a more exciting line-up, but my head would go for Stroll-Di Resta.
tonyyeb (@tonyyeb)
5th October 2017, 13:38
Williams need an ace lead driver and if Kubica is fit enough then he fits that bill. I agree with your assessment of Stroll. He has improved a fair bit and no doubt the kind of amount of testing he has been doing (similar to what pre 2008 rules allowed – thinking Lewis Hamilton) has helped and probably what more new drivers need. I’d put him ahead of Ericsson, Palmer and Kvyat. He seems much more steady and consistent. Certainly changed my early views on him
Miane
5th October 2017, 17:07
Stroll still can’t be faster than Massa in any situation that Massa don’t have problems. Last race he was 0.3s slower in P3, Q1, Q2… The only reason he finished ahead was because of Massa’s car was damaged, and even so he almost lost his place.
In Baku he only had that spectacular result because of DNFs. Massa was far ahead of him, there was 3 cars between them if I remember right, including both FI before they crashed.
If “solid” is not crashing anymore then he is solid. But for me he needs to be at least faster than an almost retiring driver.
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
5th October 2017, 21:32
I think people have been under rating Massa this season. I think Stroll is at leased a decent driver now. But Massa still often looks quicker than him. The points don’t reflect on their performances this year. Massa has had really bad luck this year. Not as bad as Alonso or Verstappen, but probably about the worst after that and I think this luck has made his start of the season look far worse than it was. I am certain he would be comfortably ahead of Ocon and ahead of Perez too if he didn’t have his bad luck. I think it is likely that both Force India drivers will have been able to pull back ahead as Williams do seem to be going downhill now. I think Massa’s main weakness is in the wet. He’s not as good as he used to be in the dry, but I would certainly say he’s a good solid driver and has enough in him to be a good driver for Williams next year. From my view, he’s looking better this year than he did towards the end of last year. In Baku, that looked the best form I’ve seem from him in years. Similar to the start of the British Grand Prix in 2015. In Baku, he very nearly got past Vettel at the restart and looked like he could well have been in a fight until the end of the race if he didn’t have to retire. I think he could have possibly even won. Stroll was only about 4 – 5 seconds off Ricciardo and Massa was a fair bit quicker than Stroll that day even though that was a great race for Stroll. Ricciardo may not have been trying his hardest though towards the end. One thing I’m sure of though, Massa surely will have managed 2nd.
Levente (@leventebandi)
5th October 2017, 11:00
I know it’s reaaaaaally long shot, even in the silly season, but what about the Porsche LMP1 drivers, whom left without a drive for next year?
Honestly, I would not to be in anyone’s shoe, who makes the final decision in this matter, because the pressure is huge on Williams as the battle heats up in the midfield this year, and next year, when Renault ups their game, must be a real balls out season for 4th-5th place.
Miane
5th October 2017, 17:12
Lotterer is in FE. I saw another one going to Indy.
Nick Wyatt (@nickwyatt)
5th October 2017, 12:44
I wonder what Massa really knows. I can’t quite believe that he doesn’t appreciate that the end of his career is approaching. It’s pretty dog-eat-dog business I know, but surely there must have been some internal discussion already. If there haven’t been any, then there should have been.
tonyyeb (@tonyyeb)
5th October 2017, 13:40
Massa to Formula E, you read it here first.
Strontium (@strontium)
5th October 2017, 14:01
@tonyyeb I’ve read that in various places already
tonyyeb (@tonyyeb)
5th October 2017, 14:07
@strontium Then it doesn’t apply to you ;) lol
Strontium (@strontium)
5th October 2017, 14:00
Kubica is a huge unknown due to his injuries and huge time off. A test will show if he’s got the speed, but it won’t show whether he can sustain it for an entire year. Even if Kubica is fast, having him drive next year could be a huge success or a huge disappointment.
Di Resta is difficult to tell because of how long it’s been for him as well (excluding the qualifying and half a race he did this year). But I’d rate Di Resta on a similar level to Massa, although he is younger so possibly has an advantage in that regard.
Massa is a known and experienced quality and, from what I understand, has a fair amount of knowledge in development.
If it were up to me, I’d keep the devil I know over taking a risk with little reward
Shimks (@shimks)
6th October 2017, 11:14
I would go with Kubica. It’s going to generate a massive amount of media buzz. What I saw in him when he was racing in F1 was the potential to be one of the very best. I’d just love for him to have another chance. But, of course, that’s my heart talking.
What I saw from Di Resta on the racetrack in years gone by was completely underwhelming. I’d put him in the same bracket as Heidfeld and Sutil. Simply not exciting to watch at all.
And frankly, neither has Massa ever been exciting to watch, in my opinion.
Bring back Kubica. He’s a balls-to-the-wall driver like the likes of Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Ricciardo.
Miltiadis (@miltosgreekfan)
5th October 2017, 17:00
All 3 options are not ideal,as both 3 drivers are pretty old & 2 of them are rusty…2018 will be a transition year for Williams,so in my opinion,they must focus on getting a lead driver under 30 for 2019.They dont seem to want to put money on drivers contracts,but this might change.If i was Williams,i would try to bring Daniel Ricciardo in for 2019.A driver at his best age,extremely smooth,consistent & fan favorite.Stroll will be in his 3rd season in 2019 so they would make a great lineup.The problem is,i dont think that Williams can attract a top driver,based on their ontrack performances.Bottas might return in 2019(accusimg Max goes to Merc),but i would like to see them trying something “unique”
Miane
5th October 2017, 17:10
They should stop thinking about drivers and think more in the car. Even Massa/Bottas put Williams on 3th on they had a decent car. Massa/Stroll would do the same if the car was good. Once they have a good car they can start to search for an above the level driver. Right now all this is pointless.
Miltiadis (@miltosgreekfan)
5th October 2017, 17:17
@miane Well its truth,but they dont seem to be able to make the big step needed(from midfield to a top 2 team).Their chassis is their achileus heel for many many years
Minardi (@gitanes)
6th October 2017, 1:00
Williams seems to be sentimental from time-to-time, so I do think they’ll go with Kubica as long as he’s not totally blown away by DiResta when head-to head. I think the idea is also that Kubica could be crazy fast eventually – he’s not like anyone else at the same age. Anyone who’s watched how he drives a rally car (in just recent years) knows its 110% with him – and he’s not afraid of going over the limit at all.
Massa?? Zzzzzzzzz.