Will Kimi Räikkönen perform better without Felipe Massa around?

[LoNeR4eVa]

I have been thinking about this for a long time. I feel that Massa is winning partly because that Räikkönen have been a champion before and Massa have not so Ferrari is helping him to vie for it. As i have also notice that Räikkönen is better now without him in any of the races, he have even achieve a win in SPA-FRANCORCHAMP and also 5 podium in this season. Please tell me about how you guys feel about it.

[Scott]

I don't think Kimi personally is affected by Massa being there or not.  He's not one to get into any pshyco issues.  The car has come around, and he isn't having such lousy luck...simple as that.

[cosworth151]

I don't think it will effect him, either. He really didn't seem to have his head in the game for a while, but it looks like he worked through that.

[LoNeR4eVa]

so who does your feel is better?

[Scott]

Although David for one will disagree, I'd say Kimi.

[cosworth151]

When he's on it, Kimi.

Massa doesn't have the flashes of brilliance that Kimi does, but he's far more consistent.

[John S]

The two are really are difficult to separate.

Kimi has tremendous natural ability but all to often lacks either the discipline or mindset to make it all work. If only Raikkanon could have allowed others to give some input he just might have become one of the true greats, sadly it's too late now

On the other hand Fellippe is a driver who has worked enormously hard to develop his skill as an F1 pilot, because he knows he has to keep striving he gives it 11/10ths almost all the time. Massa also recognises that he can keep developing and learning from others as well as his own experience.

I say massa is the better driver because he wants it more!

[Ian]

I much prefer Felipe as a driver and a person, actually I don't believe Kimi is real, I think it's a radio controlled car and in the press rooms he's a hologram. 

[Dare]

I think Kimi is the better driver.His luck reminds me
of Webber's except Kimi finds a way to get the win

[Jericoke]

Kimi has won a WDC, with Massa as a teammate.

If you think he's a better driver without Massa, then maybe he'd have wrapped up the championship earlier.

Some great drivers get a car to perform better than anyone would expect.  Schumacher was famous for that.  Alonso also seems to be head and shoulders above his teammates at Renault.  Kimi, on the other hand, simply can drive a great car to a great result.

Formula One is a team sport.  Kimi won't overcome his team's mistakes, but will reward great teamwork as well as anyone.  I don't think having Massa around affects this, though I'd say that Massa might be able to do more with an inferior car than Kimi.

[david1275]

The two are really are difficult to separate.

Kimi has tremendous natural ability but all to often lacks either the discipline or mindset to make it all work. If only Raikkanon could have allowed others to give some input he just might have become one of the true greats, sadly it's too late now

On the other hand Fellippe is a driver who has worked enormously hard to develop his skill as an F1 pilot, because he knows he has to keep striving he gives it 11/10ths almost all the time. Massa also recognises that he can keep developing and learning from others as well as his own experience.

I say massa is the better driver because he wants it more!

Massa is definitely the best all round package. I couldn't have worded my reasons any better than John has, spot on.

Although David for one will disagree, I'd say Kimi.

Your getting to know me well Scotty my friend.

[raindancer]

Put Kimi and Massa in completely identical cars without any of Ferrari politics, Kimi will drive circles around Massa. Having said that Massa has worked hard without ever being really good, He has ambition and the drive, but pure driving Kimi is miles ahead.

[John S]

Put Kimi and Massa in completely identical cars without any of Ferrari politics, Kimi will drive circles around Massa. Having said that Massa has worked hard without ever being really good, He has ambition and the drive, but pure driving Kimi is miles ahead.

I'm not sure the telemetry will back you up Rd, it's true Massa has had to work harder at it than Kimi but you shouldn't underestimate the work ethic and the ability to cope with adversity. The ability to keep your head up and pesevere are just as important as natural talent.

[raindancer]

I agree John and I appreciate Massa for his work ethic. But in terms of driving skill, ability and the flair to bring that extra out of a car its Kimi.

[SennaMan]

The two are really are difficult to separate.

Kimi has tremendous natural ability but all to often lacks either the discipline or mindset to make it all work. If only Raikkanon could have allowed others to give some input he just might have become one of the true greats, sadly it's too late now

On the other hand Fellippe is a driver who has worked enormously hard to develop his skill as an F1 pilot, because he knows he has to keep striving he gives it 11/10ths almost all the time. Massa also recognises that he can keep developing and learning from others as well as his own experience.

I say massa is the better driver because he wants it more!

quite agree John - natural talent is worthless without desire, dedication and discipline