Felipe Massa's future

[Tomba]

As we all know Felipie Massa´s future will soon come to an end. After about 100 years at Ferrari we will hope the Scuderia will stop his contract.

But my question is how much will it cost for Ferrari to stop massa´s contract right now? What future will Massa have? Why have he been so bad? Why is he embarrassing himself in front of the world trying to fight with the Torro Rosso and Sauber´s?

[ESPImperium]

To my knowlege, he is paid one third what Alonso is paid, and Alonso is paid €24m a season, so it would cost Ferrari €8m in effect. However, some people have said that Massa has a contract that says that he must complete 10 events before he can be replaced in the No 6 car.

Some are expecting him to be replaced for Hungary as the 10th GP this year is the German GP, and Hungary the 11th and the one he can be replaced in.

As for a replacement. Id say it would be either Perez or Kobayashi, or even Bianchi. However there is about 6 or 8 drivers that would be better than Massa at present.

If Kubica is back to health, and has tested a 2 year old F1 car for at least 7 days in total and has no more set backs, i recon that Kubica would be in with a shout.

[stefan_]

I think Ferrari will wait until the end of the season to see exactly Kubica's health status. If Kubica isn't ready, then we might see Perez taking his seat and who knows, maybe Massa back at Sauber.

[n smikle]

I can see Sutil taking his seat mid season.

[Websta]

I don't know about Perez replacing Massa midseason- he has one season under his belt and I wouldn't rush him into a Ferrari seat, especially as he would be going up against the co-driver buzzsaw that is Alonso. I agree with n.smikle, Sutil has a good chance at the seat midseason, but he'll probably just be keeping it warm for Perez or Kubica next year (personally I doubt Kubica will be healthy enough).

[NathanOlder]

I would say Bianchi, untill the end of the season. What have Ferrari got to lose by employing a rookie.
They will pay Massa to go away, like Kimi.

[grano123]

It would seem that the relationship between Felipe and Ferrari .............is over......... Having said that, it is as much a natural eveolution than anything else. After that long with one team, I guess both sides have become stale. Time for newer pastures.

Trouble with this scenario, is where does he go and who replaces him at Ferrari?

Alonso won't want a very competitive driver in the team, he'll want a driver who will accept 100% # 2 status, which limits the choice. My guess..........either Bianci, or Davide Rigon. I'd heard the Italian government who probably subsidize Fiat/Ferrari, have questioned why no Italians in the team?

Whilst Perez does seem to have some contractural deal going on with Ferrari, I'd believe the rumor of a Mexican consortium buying Sauber and keeping the Ferrari connection of engine and gearbox, etc and having a quasi Mexican National team of Perez & Guitierrez, instead of Perez going to Ferrari.

As for Massa....where to? McLaren.....no. Red Bull.....no. Lotus.........no. Toro Rosso.......maybe, but I think unlikely. Williams..............maybe, but would need to bring funding and I don't see this happening. Any of the lesser Teams...............never! So what Massa does post Ferrari is not looking so good I wouldn't have thought, which would be a shame as he has clearly demonstrated he is capable of winning F1 races.......

Interesting to see how this plays out.

[NathanOlder]

It may have been Brazil 08, or Hungary 09. Either way, he has been nothing near good enough to drive for Ferarri.
I think Ferrari will ditch him at the end of the year and will end up falling out of F1, so Massa could prob do hiself a favour and helping his current employer get rid of him.

I could see a swap with Perez & Massa. Ferrari have Perez on the radar as it is. Massa will be returning to his former team where both parties will have fond memories and is the only chance of igniting an old flame for Massa. Fellipe cant be enjoying hiself right now. Besides, it doesnt look like the Sauber is any slower than the ferrari. How good would it be to see Massa at sauber and fighting Alonso for 5th-8th.

By Spain this deal could happen.

[Giblet]

I can see Sutil taking his seat mid season.

Actually this makes sense to me.

NOTE: The subject is Massa's future, not Vettel's future at Ferrari.

[ESPImperium]

I can see Sutil taking his seat mid season.

Actually this makes sense to me.

NOTE: The subject is Massa's future, not Vettel's future at Ferrari.

This also makes sense to me as well, as it brings back Sutil to F1 and also gives Ferrari a driver that will keep Alonso honest whilst being a quality No2 driver. Sutil is a driver id forgotten about. However same could be said for Jamie Alguersauri to Ferrari, as he would keep Alonso honest whilst being a quality No2 driver.

The 2012/2013 silly season will start soon, that is no doubt.

[Giblet]

What about Trulli mid season in a half year contract role with an option based on performance?

Alonso and him have worked together before and aside from Flavio being in the middle, they got on pretty well it seemed.

Trulli is still fresh, and he would get to chalk up that one last thing on his resume like Fisi did.

[donskar]

Agree Massa has no future with Ferrari, and that his performance has been abysmal. I'd like to see a fully-recovered Kubica replace him; if not him, I'd guess Bianchi or Perez. But let's not trash Massa too much. Before his accident he was a top rank driver. I believe his accident took something out of him; he was never the same after that. He will leave F1 with accomplishments exceeded by very few drivers.

[Scythe]

I think most of us agree that Massa is history. I tend to think his F1 days are numbered; I don't believe he's going to get another seat. IF I owned a team, I would opt for a younger unknown guy over Massa. Having said that, I don't know why he would want to stay at Ferrari - they treat him like crap.

[Giblet]

I honestly think much of Massa's ability to drive fast came from traction control and other electronic aids, and he never seemed to get on top of driving a 'real car' like everyone else. The close proximity of the head injury to that season is not lost on me.

[CHT]

I can see Sutil taking his seat mid season.

Actually this makes sense to me.

NOTE: The subject is Massa's future, not Vettel's future at Ferrari.

I am not sure if Sutil can fit inside the F2012?