Ferrari confirms Massa

Ferrari has announced that Felipe Massa will race for the team next year, the deal being based on an option that has existed since 2001. Rubens Barrichello will leave the team at the end of 2005. This is virtual confirmation that Barrichello will be going to BAR-Honda in 2006 and 2007. This leaves BAR in a comfortable position with regard to Jenson Button as Takuma Sato can stay on as second driver if Button has to go to Williams.

The switch of Massa to Ferrari is entirely logical given that the Brazilian is managed by a company owned by the Todt Family. The link between Massa and Todt dates back to August 2003 when Adriano Morini, owner of the Draco Formula 3000 team, announced that he had freed Massa from a management contract which has been in place since 2000. Morini and his Brazilian partner Riccardo Tedeschi had promoted Massa's career through Italian and European Formula Renault championships and the Euro F3000 Championship. Sauber signed him to replace Kimi Raikkonen in 2002, amid rumours of a long-term Ferrari option, but he was too wild for Peter Sauber's taste and ended up as a Ferrari test driver in 2003. The deal beween Massa and the Todts that year resulted in Massa going back to Sauber where he has flourished for the last two seasons.

Jenson Button may say that he does not want to go to Williams in 2006 but Sir Frank Williams has given Button a very solid response which indicates that Button's presence in 2006 is required by Williams and is not negotiable. There is talk of legal actions but to continue the fight in the face of Williams's reaction would serve little purpose for Button. BAR cannot get involved for fear of being accused of enticement and to go to court could risk a damages claim from Williams which might run to tens of millions of dollars. It would be much wiser for Jenson to honour the Williams contract he fought so hard for last year (when he wanted to leave BAR) and keep his commitment to Williams. To do anything else would damage his already tarnished reputation.

After that it would be a good idea to take a long and hard look at how career decisions are made in the Button camp to avoid further disappointment and controversy in the future. The recent days have been very damaging for Button with ill-conceived attempts to control coverage of the situation which ended up with a clumsy mess.

The worrying thing is that Button and his advisors seemed to think that Williams would compromise in such a situation. It is worth remembering that Frank Williams and Patrick Head have called the bluff of the likes of Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill in the past. Both World Champions ended up out of the team as a result.

Button says that this is a critical moment for his career. That may be so but it is also a critical time for the Williams team that gave him his first chance in F1 and has invested in him ever since. The Williams attitude is that if Button has made a commitment and the team has built a package around that commitment Button must now live by that decision.

With Button and Mark Webber both contracted to Williams, there would be no room at all for Nick Heidfeld and it is entirely logical for the German to go back to Sauber, where he cut his teeth in 2001, 2002 and 2003. An experienced German F1 driver is the perfect thing for BMW as it heads into a transitional period at Sauber. This would leave the team with Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve, two experienced campaigners and with the potential to change both of them at the end of 2006 when other opportunities may arise.
-gp.com

Interesting moves.
I like Barrichelo in Honda, and Mass in Ferrari.
Who should replace MS when he retires in 1-2 years?
BMW has a great oportunity to get great drivers by the end of 2006.
How about Mika Kovalainen for Ferrari or BMW?
Sorry for Jenson, I guess he is driving for Williams or nobody.

eh, it's jensons own fault. It seems far fetched, but during the last race at the Hungaroring Peter Windsor seemed to be convinced that Kimi is headed to Ferrari in '07, but it seems unlikely to me.

I'm not suprised...Barichello isn't getting any younger...and playing 2nd fiddle at Ferrari has its limitations...

Not sure Masa is the answer though for Ferrari...

Sad to see RB go but perhaps he'll get to be a stronger player at BAR, especially if JB leaves. I'd look for Kimi to replace MS in a couple years if/when he decides to call it quits.

I want to know where this new guy Kovaleinnen is going to go. Perhaps he'll be replaced Fischi in the Renault?

I'm not suprised...Barichello isn't getting any younger...and playing 2nd fiddle at Ferrari has its limitations...

Not sure Masa is the answer though for Ferrari...

I really enjoy watching RB drive for Ferrari and I am a Ferrari fan. I have been in love w/ the cars and the racing team since i s was little. However, I do feel that Barichello gets the short end of the stick sometimes, esp. when he allows Schumi by on the last lap for the points. He has developed an excellant talent for drivng F1 cars, he needs more room to grow now :redspot
~Phil

he needs more room to grow now :redspot
~Phil

Rubino? He's accomplished all his growing.

Massa will really shine at Ferrari. I've wanted him in a Ferrari since he was a test driver for them. :buttrock

If Schumi decides to leave, Trulli would be my choice.

I really enjoy watching RB drive for Ferrari and I am a Ferrari fan. I have been in love w/ the cars and the racing team since i s was little. However, I do feel that Barichello gets the short end of the stick sometimes, esp. when he allows Schumi by on the last lap for the points. He has developed an excellant talent for drivng F1 cars, he needs more room to grow now :redspot
~Phil

I think RB has handled his position with class...And its obvious, given the right setup and backing...he can win. I will still root for him if he ends up in BAR Honda. But this little voice in the back of my mind makes me think HONDA wants RB for any kind of secrets he can divulge for Ferrari's success. Probably not true...but still :devillook

Rubino? He's accomplished all his growing.

Massa will really shine at Ferrari. I've wanted him in a Ferrari since he was a test driver for them. :buttrock

If Schumi decides to leave, Trulli would be my choice.F1 is about to become seriously entertaining. Massa will be an immediate frontrunner at Ferrari. With some coaching from Schumi, and a little cooperation from the team, Massa could easily win a WDC.

So far, his talent far outshines his equipment.

F1 is about to become seriously entertaining. Massa will be an immediate frontrunner at Ferrari. With some coaching from Schumi, and a little cooperation from the team, Massa could easily win a WDC.

So far, his talent far outshines his equipment.

Didn't think Schumi was the type that coaches :dunno?

Although I could easily see MS in a long term "Consultant" position with Ferrari after he's done racing.

That's what I'm talking about. There's a good chance that MS will retire from driving at the end of next year - especially if Massa kicks his ass.

That's what I'm talking about. There's a good chance that MS will retire from driving at the end of next year - especially if Massa kicks his ass.

That would be a gift from heaven for Ferrari.

I bet Rossi to replace Schumi..

I wouldn't mind that either...if he proves competitive.

I think Massa will prove to be a dissapointment in a Ferrari

I bet Rossi to replace Schumi..


Looks like this might be a possibility now.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/4741725.stm

It's doubful Massa will outshine MS although I would expect him to do much better given the equippment he's going have at his disposal.

I think Massa will prove to be a dissapointment in a Ferrari

I agree, though it will keep things interesting next season!

It'll be a tough call. It really depends on Schumi's needs ifyaknowwhatimean.

when Schumi left in '99 with a broken leg he was caught by the paparazzi playing soccer with his son while "disabled" which leads me to believe that he's the type who loves his life more than racing. If the going gets tough in Ferrari, I can see him saying:
"I'm a billionaire with nearly every record possible in the sport, I'm done."

hopefully Renault will take Kovalainen into F1 next year, his talent is wasted in gp2 series when he would be highly competitive in f1 already. Rosberg will very likely get a dream job in the new BMW team. I'm very happy about the Massa-Ferrari thing, he will bring a new life to a jaded team and force MS to up his efforts of risk losing the #1 driver status. Interesting times ahead. :buttrock

hopefully Renault will take Kovalainen into F1 next year, his talent is wasted in gp2 series when he would be highly competitive in f1 already. Rosberg will very likely get a dream job in the new BMW team. I'm very happy about the Massa-Ferrari thing, he will bring a new life to a jaded team and force MS to up his efforts of risk losing the #1 driver status. Interesting times ahead. :buttrock

Scummie risking losing the #1 status? Not hardly.

More likely he'll bend Massa over and tell him "Wer ist sein Vati." ;)

I'm very happy about the Massa-Ferrari thing, he will bring a new life to a jaded team and force MS to up his efforts of risk losing the #1 driver status. Interesting times ahead.

I agree about the interesting times ahead, new blood always does shake up the equation abit,,, but I doubt Massa will push MS. MS is still as good as ever. I dont see a Journeyman driver pushing him. I think that guy is just "driven" no pun intended.
I really dont believe Ferrari has become a "jaded" team though.

It seems they are trying their balls off.
MS is driving as hard as ever, if you look at where he is most every weekend vs. where Ruebens is in similar equipment its pretty clear MS is raising their package above where it really belongs this year.

Obviously I am a MS & a Ferrari fan, so "to me" I see them still working hard.
1) I think they have been let down in a big way by Bridgestone this year.
Their tires are a disaster.

2) Way back in the pre-season, written in one of the F1 mags,,, I remember reading that this year's car was the first MS era car not entirely designed by Rory. It was to be designed by Rory's successor with "guidance" from his mentor, as a prelude to Rory retiring. I cannot believe more has not been made of this either in press or on TV "IF" what I had read was true...

So, not only could the tires be a let down, but the car could be a bit of a turd as well being the first car not entirely from the "Ross & Rory Show"...

I'll be sad to see Ruebens go, he's a solid performer, a known commodity.
The last thing you want is a wild card loose cannon like a Montoya on your team.
It was a good team, but I guess it had to break up sometime. I think Massa was a decent choice as his replacement.

I personally "cant wait" for next season...
Its gotta be better than this one (well if you are a Ferrari fan)...
Cheers
jimmy p.

I think massa will do well. I dont think he is going to give shumi a run for his money simply because MS has been sitting in that same gold lined seat for a while now and its almost 'routine' for him. Felipe has some things to improve on coming from sauber.

Its gotta be better than this one (well if you are a Ferrari fan)...

Seems like everyone in america is a ferrari fan now. Well, shall i say, a ferrari bandwagon fan. That came clear to me when i was sitting in the stands of the 05 USGP disaster surrounded by a sea of Red. Seems like everyone there took off thier NASCAR hats that day and replaced them with ferrari hats. I love ferarris and MS is extremely talented but it drives me nuts when people automatically cheer ferrari on without having formed an educated opinion of thier own or have any knowledge of the sport at all. I promise you that 75% of the ferrari 'fans' at USGP couldnt tell you which ferarri MS was driving if the cars were sitting still next to each other. anyone else feel my pain? I dont know how many times i heard the phrase,"now which one is michael Shumacher?" coming from people wearing ferarri attire.

Next season is going to be interesting, i cant wait!

Scummie

Is the name calling really necessary?

His skill and talent have never been underestimated.

Seems like everyone in america is a ferrari fan now. Well, shall i say, a ferrari bandwagon fan. That came clear to me when i was sitting in the stands of the 05 USGP disaster surrounded by a sea of Red. Seems like everyone there took off thier NASCAR hats that day and replaced them with ferrari hats. I love ferarris and MS is extremely talented but it drives me nuts when people automatically cheer ferrari on without having formed an educated opinion of thier own or have any knowledge of the sport at all. I promise you that 75% of the ferrari 'fans' at USGP couldnt tell you which ferarri MS was driving if the cars were sitting still next to each other. anyone else feel my pain? I dont know how many times i heard the phrase,"now which one is michael Shumacher?" coming from people wearing ferarri attire.

Next season is going to be interesting, i cant wait!


LOL I agree, I was at the start/finish line amongst a plethora of Ferrari fans. I have always enjoyed the heritage and history of Ferrari and my ambition in life is to own a '91 Testarossa. I have to agree there was definately some bandwagoning goin on at the USGP :shifty

Is the name calling really necessary?

His skill and talent have never been underestimated.

Neither has his intentionally crashing his rivals and other heavy handed tactics.

Necessary? No. But my opinion, like it or not.

I think massa will do well. I dont think he is going to give shumi a run for his money simply because MS has been sitting in that same gold lined seat for a while now and its almost 'routine' for him. Felipe has some things to improve on coming from sauber.



Seems like everyone in america is a ferrari fan now. Well, shall i say, a ferrari bandwagon fan. That came clear to me when i was sitting in the stands of the 05 USGP disaster surrounded by a sea of Red. Seems like everyone there took off thier NASCAR hats that day and replaced them with ferrari hats. I love ferarris and MS is extremely talented but it drives me nuts when people automatically cheer ferrari on without having formed an educated opinion of thier own or have any knowledge of the sport at all. I promise you that 75% of the ferrari 'fans' at USGP couldnt tell you which ferarri MS was driving if the cars were sitting still next to each other. anyone else feel my pain? I dont know how many times i heard the phrase,"now which one is michael Shumacher?" coming from people wearing ferarri attire.

Next season is going to be interesting, i cant wait!

Hey...I've been a fan since Rene Arnoux, Didier Pironi (these were dark days :( ), Michele Alberato, and Alain Prost drove for the Scudderia :shifty