Massa gets record for longest win drought by a Ferrari driver
21 March, 2013
Felipe Massa last won a Grand Prix in Brazil 2008
Felipe Massa is enduring the longest Grand Prix win drought in the history of all Ferrari drivers, according to an analysis by Autosprint magazine.
Dating back to his title-losing win in Brazil 2008, Melbourne last Sunday marked 68 consecutive races in which the Brazilian has entered a Grand Prix but failed to triumph.
Massa therefore takes the unenviable record from Jean Alesi, who failed to win a Grand Prix for the fabled Maranello marque between his Ferrari debut in 1991 until Montreal 1995 (67 races).
31-year-old Massa, however, is quoted by Brazil’s Globo as characterising the start of his 2013 campaign as “10 times better” than last year.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo agrees: “I’m satisfied with Felipe Massa’s performance (in Melbourne) — he was very fast in qualifying and delivered a brilliant race.”
Next on Autosprint’s list of drought-stricken Ferrari drivers are Michele Alboreto (55 races), Eddie Irvine (49), Clay Regazzoni (34), Stefan Johansson (31), Rubens Barrichello (30), Chris Amon and Gerhard Berger (both 27).
But there were others in Formula 1 history who waited even longer for a win and never achieved it, led by Andrea de Cesaris (208 grands prix), Nick Heidfeld (183) and Martin Brundle (158).
And Jarno Trulli holds the record for a winning driver who tried in vain the longest to try to add to his tally. After winning at Monaco in 2004, he raced another 135 times but never stood on the middle of the podium again.
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso on Wednesday began his preparations for his 200th career Grand Prix this weekend by road cycling around the hot Sepang circuit. (GMM)
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- Ferrari boss unwilling to discuss Massa contract
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HE WON HOCKENHEIM 2010!
Alonso doesn’t retire mid-race very often. Whilst Alosno is on the track Massa will be required to take the less beneficial pitstop timing or move aside and not regain his position.
A more interesting article would be a calculation for how many points Alonso would have had in each season if he had to earn them all fairly.
This is a pointless story as Massa isn’t allowed to win. It’s not a drought but rather abstinence!
Remember Germany in 2010? He was told to give up his certain victory for Alonso. “Alonso is faster than you” came from his race engineer, followed by “sorry”. That really says it all.
After that he has had to play a subservient role to Alonso and whatever Ferrari wanted, such as holding up and blocking Hamilton.
The story would be better stating that Massa gave up being a racing driver and just took the money instead.
Another reason to say this guy is a waste of petrol
He’s probably the only Ferrari driver ever to keep his seat for going on 5 years after his last win + getting popped in the head by a spring. He’s still quick, and if the Ferrari is quick enough on Sundays, he will produce a good result.