Ferrari to decide Massa's future by mid-2012
Global Motorsport Media
Felipe Massa has acknowledged that a bad start to the 2012 season could cost him his race seat at Ferrari.
Team bosses Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo have stated openly that they are looking around at the alternatives should Brazilian Massa - a Ferrari driver since 2006 - continue his sub-standard form this year.
"I am well aware that in some ways, the first part of the season will be more important than the second," the 30-year-old told reporters at Ferrari's pre-season winter event in the Italian Dolomites.
"When we reach the mid-point of the season, we will talk about my future and see what are the chances of continuing to work with Ferrari," said Massa.
Even amid news of his newly broken right leg, Robert Kubica's name is reportedly near the top of the shortlist to succeed Massa -- and Fernando Alonso gave the recovering Pole a vote of confidence this week.
"Robert is the best driver around and he will prove that when he returns to racing," said the Spaniard, who was then asked if he can imagine friend Kubica as his 2013 teammate.
I am very happy to have Felipe alongside me
Alonso insisted: "I am very happy to have Felipe alongside me."
But the veteran Brazilian will only be there if he is up to speed by mid-season, when Ferrari will make a decision so that Massa has time to find an alternate seat.
"Competitive teams always decide their plans ahead of time," agreed Massa.
Share Or Save This Story
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is
Fernando Alonso explains future talks as F1's greatest circuits "killed" by 2026 rules
Lewis Hamilton: ‘I towed Charles the whole time’ and ended up 0.5s slower
Why "dangerous" Hamilton-Lawson incident in Azerbaijan GP practice hasn't led to change
How the chase to catch Mercedes is unfolding
Oscar Piastri: I need a tow bar to hook onto Mercedes to fight for Baku win
Carson Hocevar, Ryan Blaney trade niceties a week after Bristol fight
"We are going to FIA": Grasser appeal rejected - no DTM champion at finale?
Guenther Steiner calls out Williams over F1 infrastructure complaints: "Crocodile tears"
How George Russell claimed his career-best pole margin in F1 Azerbaijan GP qualifying
How the chase to catch Mercedes is unfolding
What we learned from Thursday practice at the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan GP
A look at McLaren and Audi's Baku F1 updates
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments