[mloversia]

Just a theory.

I reckon Alonso started it.

[Goksiodiffeli]

I heard of such rumours already before the season. I hope Massa leaves Ferrari and joins a team with a bit more class that is not lead by an obvious jerk (Luca di Montezuma)

[standaman]

Exactly what does Felipe have to do to be recognized?

Get British nationality!

[standaman]

But he has underperformed so far this year, I think.

Based on what?!

If he has underperformed than do did the other 25 drivers.

[Soadiassy]

I agree Massa is a little underrated by some. To be honest I think it's the fact he is a bit of a late developer, he didn't wow everyone straight away season like MS, FA, Kimi, Hamilton, even Button to a lesser extent, and they say first impressions are the most significant, but it's to his credit that he's showed marked improvement pretty much every season he's been racing.

2007, everyone said Kimi would wipe the floor with him, but there wasn't much in it till Massa (rightly and understandably) had to support Kimi's title bid towards the end.

2008, I vividly remember a post on this forum at the start of the season saying how the traction control ban was going to affect Massa more than any other of the leading contenders and that he'd be useless without TC. We all know how that turned out by the end of the year.

2009, easily had the upper hand on Kimi until he nearly got killed.

And while he's not the first to return from a near-fatal accident as good as he was (Lauda, Hakkinen, arguably MS in '99 too), it's still impressive because it can go the other way too (Arundell, Beltoise, Wendlinger I can think of off the top of my head)

It's not like Alonso has been rinsing him either, yes FA probably has that little bit extra over Massa in his locker that separates the good from the great, but there's no shame in that, on his day he can beat anyone.

[soonahonsefalh]

I think Felipe is doing fine.

two podiums and 3 solid points finishes and leading the World Championship I think thats pretty good, next for Felipe a win!

[Byxtysaaqwuz]

Felipe is doing fine

What a suprise to Fernando and his fans, we sees this in this thread.

[Immusaatmonna]

I agree Massa is a little underrated by some. To be honest I think it's the fact he is a bit of a late developer, he didn't wow everyone straight away season like MS, FA, Kimi, Hamilton, even Button to a lesser extent, and they say first impressions are the most significant, but it's to his credit that he's showed marked improvement pretty much every season he's been racing.

2007, everyone said Kimi would wipe the floor with him, but there wasn't much in it till Massa (rightly and understandably) had to support Kimi's title bid towards the end.

2008, I vividly remember a post on this forum at the start of the season saying how the traction control ban was going to affect Massa more than any other of the leading contenders and that he'd be useless without TC. We all know how that turned out by the end of the year.

2009, easily had the upper hand on Kimi until he nearly got killed.

And while he's not the first to return from a near-fatal accident as good as he was (Lauda, Hakkinen, arguably MS in '99 too), it's still impressive because it can go the other way too (Arundell, Beltoise, Wendlinger I can think of off the top of my head)

It's not like Alonso has been rinsing him either, yes FA probably has that little bit extra over Massa in his locker that separates the good from the great, but there's no shame in that, on his day he can beat anyone.

I agree with most of what you say and I don't really want to get into this (I've discussed this with ioan quite extensively ) but in 2009 Massa and Räikkönen were very evenly matched on the race track. Check the statistics without mechanical retirements.

We don't know whether Alonso has anything over Massa, it's just a common assumption here that somehow Alonso is better. Let's see, it's going to be interesting.

[Plaumpholavup]

I have always seen FM being treated as the underdog, but he has usually come back to silence his critics, what ever has been said about FA, I think as the season progresses he will be quite a challenge for FA, with no Team orders, just as FA found very difficult to overtake FM, its going to be very even I believe, FM can be pretty handy in qualifying especially in the later part of the year where is usually does better, as in all the season so far.

[Byxtysaaqwuz]

The Alonso fans thinks Massa is top tier, but worse than Fernando.

The Kimi haters thinks that Massa is below Alonso, below Robert and most other drivers but superior to Kimi.

[Centurnion]

The latest rumour is that Ferrari wants to extend FM's contract by 3 years and make his contract more secure than FA who is guaranteed three years from 2010.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/090420...i-renewal.html

[Seerseraxlils]

considering how Massa is the championship leader at this point in time after nearly getting killed last year, I'd say hes doing great and dont understand why he would be considered in being replaced.

unless Ferrari gets Vettel, I dont see many better drivers than Massa out there in F1

And as long as Adrian Newey is at RBR and Alonso at Ferrari, Vettel will never [should never] move.

And if he moved, odds are it would be to Mercedes.

[Seerseraxlils]

Get British nationality!

I dont think he would like the weather!

[Seerseraxlils]

I have always seen FM being treated as the underdog, but he has usually come back to silence his critics....

Just like Jense

[Mambattedge]

Looking like Felipe Baby will be hanging on in there with the trusty Rob for a few more years if Mr Saward is correct....

And if Ferrari are back with KERS next year that could be a useful thing...

I think he's pretty low rent in terms of pay and not as high maintenance as Alonso, whilst Bob probably rivals the small Spaniard in the "difficult and demanding" stakes...

Interestingly Felipe and Alonso are much of a size and weight whilst Bob is a lot taller... how much easier is it to have two drivers of a similar stature I don't know but I'd guess it helps....