Filipe Massa

[Andy B]

I have been thinking this even before the season testing started and was surprised he got the drive but how long will it last? He even made a basic error in first practice and chucked it into the gravel then asked what happened to the car!!
His days have to be numbered!!

[Jugirl]

I voted to say he will keep his seat but for one reason only. Ferrari will just keep him second fiddle to Fernando and replace him at the end when other "better" drivers are out of contracts.

Ju

[John S]

I agree with Ju, the better drivers are under contract so choice is limited for a mid season switch. However the main reason Ferrari will see out the season with Felipe is their experience of using substitute drivers in 2009, the resulting loss of points pushed them back to 4th in the construtors when 3rd was easily acheivable.

A lot of cash is involved in that loss of place. Which brings me to the second reason Massa will stay the course, money, - or rather the shortage of it now to pay off Felipe whilst finishing lower than they could have in the table. So for me Felipe's seat is safe this year.

The only circumstance that I can see for an early bath for Massa is a move of Perez from Sauber to Maranello. I'm not sure Sergio's backers will be comfortable with that, this is still only his second season and he still needs time in the relative comfort of mid pack to hone his skills.

[Dare]

Massa will but will HRT?13 seconds off pace

What top driver would go to Ferrari?Surely they know
Alonso isn't allowed to be bested

[lkjohnson1950]

I would not be surprised if Ferd has a veto over his team mate. With the trouble McLaren has had with running 2 top drivers, I think Ferrari is happy to have a "b" in the 2 spot.

[Andy B]

The car looks really bad so that maybe a savour for him althougth with there reserve and test driver list I still feel he could be out by mid-season especially if the car comes good and he does not perform.

[Jugirl]

After that qualifying if Ferd could only get 12th place i think Massa is safe with 16th.....for now

Ju

[David]

I reserved my vote until now. I reckon there's a fair chance he won't last the season. Sad as it makes me, where are the glory days now Felipe?

[lkjohnson1950]

In the sad shape the F2012 is in, I reckon they are looking for useful feedback more than anything else at this point. If Massa can help point the development in the right direction, I reckon he's safe.

[F1fanaticBD]

I guess he is quite safe for a while, problem with him is, if you give him a good car, he is a good drive, almost won the 2008 world championship, so keeping him with the team only helps, while a new driver will take time to settle down, which will result in losing points, as there is testing ban.

Every hot head wants to bang him, Lewis last year, Maldonado this year, no matter where ever he goes, he will have to live with it. Sometimes i feel like there is rumour or superstition that if you bang Massa you become a better driver. As Lewis showed us banging Massa could make your drive and girlfriend come back at you. Maldonado might be trying his luck as well...  

[Jugirl]

I guess he is quite safe for a while, problem with him is, if you give him a good car, he is a good drive, almost won the 2008 world championship, so keeping him with the team only helps, while a new driver will take time to settle down, which will result in losing points, as there is testing ban.

I disagree that with a good car he is a good driver. In 2008 what competition was there? Kimi was bored because he had won it, The Kovaleinen was in Lewis's pocket, the Red Bulls weren't up to speed and no-one else was competitive enough. He had one main rival.....and he lost to him. Another reason why I don't rate Lewis that highly. If there is such a thing, an easy championship (which he nearly lost)

Ju

[lkjohnson1950]

Of course, for Ju, Ferrari's drivers are Fernando and...... Not Fernando!! 

[hayleylsl]

I think he will be out by the end of the season- he makes to many mistakes and just isn't up there with the top drivers- I reckon he will be bought out of his contract- as to who will replace him im not quite sure- I reckon (i am very self-opinionated i know) that Perez has a good chance- i would have loved to have seen Kubica in a Ferrari seat just to see what he could do- i guess that wont happen though now.

[Jugirl]

Of course, for Ju, Ferrari's drivers are Fernando and...... Not Fernando!! 

Of course hehe

Ju

[Alianora La Canta]

I believe Felipe is safe for 2012 provided he doesn't do anything spectacularly dumb (such as calling the car a "truck" without other team members doing so first). The impression I get is that Pérez is being lined up for his seat in 2013, pretty much regardless of what Felipe does, but that moving him mid-season would derail his development and possibly also Ferrari's (not to mention make long-time ally Peter Sauber upset). So Felipe should get to the end of the season with Ferrari - and not a meter further.