Massa looking forward to return

[Dare]

Is it really a return or coming out of retirement?He hasn't
even missed any races just like if he hadn't retired.Kinda
like throwing a birthday party for someone and finding
out it's not really their b'day.Anyway good luck Massa


http://www.planetf1.com/news/massa-very-much-looking-forward-f1-return/

[Jericoke]

I think Massa is in a good place.  Coming out of 'retirement', there can't be heavy expectations on him.  If he does poorly, well, of course he is, he should have retired!

Hopefully this lack of pressure will let him enjoy the racing, and maybe even provide some surprises.

[Scott]

Just goes to show that the retirement wasn't Massa's idea.  A bit hollow isn't it? 

I am still going to throw out another 'Why not Wehrlein?' in this situation as well.  He has a full season in F1 and has taken a Manor to places it doesn't belong.  Massa has never done that in my opinion.   He has driven a car as fast as he can, but never faster than it should go.  Clearly Williams needs a driver who can do the latter.

Bad move Claire.   

[cosworth151]

Martini wanted at least one driver old enough to legally do adverts for them.

[Jericoke]

Martini wanted at least one driver old enough to legally do adverts for them.

It does seem odd that there are no drivers older than 25, yet younger than 35 who are qualified to race F1 cars

I wonder if super licence requirements are a factor?

[Alianora La Canta]

Martini wanted at least one driver old enough to legally do adverts for them.

It does seem odd that there are no drivers older than 25, yet younger than 35 who are qualified to race F1 cars

I wonder if super licence requirements are a factor?

To some extent, yes - and other factors include the vacancy appearing in December (Williams thought their Bottas-Stroll line-up was solid before that), after most of the good drivers in that age bracket had signed contracts elsewhere. (So had Felipe, but he proved relatively easy to get back). The other issue is that Williams is currently a team slipping back, which is always a situation that makes driver recruitment more difficult - even in a scenario where Williams' underlying strength makes technical talent fairly easy for it to obtain.

[lkjohnson1950]

Claire Williams has confirmed Martini wanted am older driver to replace Bottas, making Massa the go to choice.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/claire-williams-admits-f1-sponsor-wanted-older-driver-replace-valtteri-bottas?utm_source=RacingDaily20170131&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=headline-center&utm_content=body&utm_campaign=awracingdaily

[Willy]

Massa should have takin' the money and ran.
He made it out alive after a horrible accident almost got him. Spend time with the family and enjoy life.

[Steve A.]

I agree he should have stayed ( well actually) retired,  not sure he is going to be competitive,  I hope it's not a case of rolling around ad doing what is 'needed'  it won't do Williams any good

[Jericoke]

I agree he should have stayed ( well actually) retired,  not sure he is going to be competitive,  I hope it's not a case of rolling around ad doing what is 'needed'  it won't do Williams any good

Since there's little else to discuss, I'll weave a conspiracy theory, just for fun.

As we've seen with Rosberg and Hamilton, a driver's ego is a very important element to their success.  The list of F1 drivers over 25 who are currently not under contract are a list of drivers who have basically been forced out of the sport.  Is it possible they're as good as they were before?  Maybe.  But if they were good enough to be in F1, wouldn't they be in F1?

Now let me add a level to this conspiracy.  Lance Stroll, like all good 'pay' drivers, is good.  He brings money AND talent to the Williams team.  He may need a couple years before he reaches his potential.  Would a 27 year old driver with an ax to grind be a teammate who would help Stroll develop, or would they be out to prove they're better than the 'golden boy'? 

Massa has nothing to prove.  He's raced in the shadow of Michael Schumacher, he's contended for the championship, he's driven uninspired races in noncompetitive cars.  If Stroll's sponsors told  Claire they need a driver who isn't opposed to being the unofficial #2, I see how Massa is the only driver on that list.  He may not be the best F1 driver available, but he may be the best one that will make all of Williams' sponsors happy.

[John S]

  He may not be the best F1 driver available, but he may be the best one that will make all of Williams' sponsors happy.

I must admit I'm struggling to find a better available driver, they must be experienced, short term, as fast as other mid field pilots, able to mentor a young driver, and most of all know how Williams work especially around car set up and sponsor commitments. 

Now when you apply those parameters the default choice, i.e. the best, is Felipe.

Maldonado - unluckily for him - has been out of Williams for a bit too long. 

[Scott]

If only the age wasn't dictated by Martini, there would be a couple more choices.

[Dare]

I think Pastor would have been a better pick but with'the way
of oil prices I doubt if he had the funds

[Irisado]

It's psychologically negative for Massa to have come back.  He received such a positive send off in Brazil, and that was such an emotionally high note on which to bow out.  It felt like the right time for him to stop.

[Alianora La Canta]

Best of the non-big-three-teams drive for Felipe. That is some style in which to return!