Berger believes that Ferrari should dump Massa
9 October, 2012
Oct.9 (GMM) Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger thinks that the Italian team should drop Felipe Massa and replace him with one of the up and coming drivers on the grid.
However, after the Brazilian at Suzuka finally returned to the podium after a two-year absence, all the signs are that Ferrari is set to sign his 2013 contract.
Austrian Berger is perplexed.
“This makes no sense,” he told Germany’s Auto Bild. “It’s never just about one race.
“I would put Hulkenberg or di Resta in his place. They are young and fast – exactly what Ferrari needs to fight for the constructors’ title,” added Berger.
Ferrari apparently does not agree.
One team insider told Auto Motor und Sport: “Among the young guys we see nobody about whom we can say ‘We must have him’.”
Indeed, Massa, 31, is putting out the message that his future is now safe.
“The conversation we have been having until now has been that [a new contract] should happen,” he told Portuguese-language media at Suzuka on Sunday.
“I’m hoping it will be confirmed as soon as possible.”
Team boss Stefano Domenicali is also on message: “We will make an announcement soon,” he is quoted by Italy’s La Stampa.
If and when the news is confirmed, it will mean that the seats at all of the top teams are essentially in place, with the rest of the 2013 grid to then follow suit.
Ferrari-powered Sauber, tipped to re-sign Japanese Kamui Kobayashi after his hugely-popular Suzuka podium, has announced that it will settle its 2013 lineup before November’s finale.
And chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn also hinted about Massa’s future, suggesting speculation to the effect that the Brazilian could return to Sauber if he is dropped by Ferrari is wide of the mark.
“[Sauber's decision] has, for a change, nothing to do with Ferrari,” she is quoted by the Sun.
Ferrari is expected to announce the Massa news either immediately at this weekend’s Korean Grand Prix.
“This second place [in Japan] is a very important result in a decisive moment for him,” Domenicali is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.
Asked if that means Massa is staying in 2013, he added: “Let’s not take a second step before we’ve taken the first.”
Subbed by AJN.
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- Sauber denies selling team to Berger
- Berger backs Schumacher amid negativity
- Kubica and Massa play down Ferrari rumours
After last car cross the finish line in Brazil, we will know who deserves the Championship the most. Other than that is just a preference game.
Luckily we got some heavy weight Champs, who know it’s not over until it’s over and won/lost Championships by a slightest of margins.
2 fools
I am not at all an alonso hater, i am only telling a fact
Alonso deserves this year’s championship more than anyone this season n i respect that if he achieves that
Alonso is 100% at fault in his contact with Kimi. Alonso is one of the most over rated drivers in Formula One.
Alonso is also one of the if not the biggest cry baby in Formula One.
Kimi held his line and Alonso tried to squeeze him and Alonso hit Kimi, not Kimi hitting Alonso as you blind sheep Alonso fans want to believe.
Alonso should be banned for at least one race for that stunt. He cost not only his own race but the races of others who ended up with damage trying to avoid his out of control car.
Alonso did nothing wrong
Alonso was clearly ahead by one car length. He was sixth on grid while Kimi is behind him. Knowing Alonso is great off his grid starts why would he care for Kimi if Vettel is his target and if anything at least jumping from 6th to 3rd place on the first lap was crucial for Alonso to defend his WDC points, whilst he was drafting off of Perez. Which is all racing
How do you figure thats Alonso fault? Let me guess, because you think he moved wide left right? OK…so either that was a defend move or to draft off of Perez. Either way Kimi could have lifted or braked. Kimi could not pass outside anyways due to Alonso drafting off Perez which clearly shows on the replays.
Clearly replays show Alonso did this to avoid Grosjean, if you didnt notice he was in front of Alonso on the grid, think Spa and guess what he hit Webber instead, Yet Kimi punctures Alonso and ends his race. Maybe it was done purposely or not. Still wrecked him from not scoring points or a win That would be 2 Lotus that DNF Alonso within 3 races.
Conspiracy? Who knows, I dont make excuses for drivers. I watch and analyze thoroughly and judge accordingly. Yes he is my favorite driver yet this is ridiculous. Oh well race incident it is. Yet Alonso still leads the WDC
Alonso did nothing wrong. You guys are haters
indavideo.hu/video/Rajt_2012_Japan_F1
yes it was kimi’s front wing that damaged alonso’s tyres but u can’t place the responsibility on kimi for that..Kimi touching alonso was totally due to alonso’s own doing, he had plenty of space on the right side but he kept on coming to the left side and kimi did try to avoid the collision even going on the grass
It was just another version of grosjean’s (alonso) move on hamilton (kimi) at spa the difference is that alonso was only at recieving end and partly kimi losing his front wing part… if u need further proof go and watch this video
@kaka007. Alonso did not touch Raikkonen and besides Fernando was ahead of Kimi. It was Kimi’s front wing that punctured Alonso’s left rear and sent him out of the race.
@Steve Maximus
woww, watch your steps..Kimi crashed into Alonso??
It was alonso who was trying a grosjean spa move on kimi n kimi had nowhere to go..It’s funny how alonso gets away with every incidents he is involved with other drivers without penalties
N about berger’s comments, I completely agree Massa is now just a mediocre driver not anywhere near what he used to be n he is not the future of ferrari, he’s d past.. Ferrari should probably look into young upcoming talents
Second place because Grosjean crashed into Webber, Kimi crashed into Alonso and Hamilton messed up his setup. Hardly anything to be proud of. Without that mess it would have been 6th place. Yawn.