Felipe Massa not ready to be a second driver in 2011
The season had been a tough one for Felipe Massa of Ferrari, but he has vowed not to carry these problems to the next year. He has clearly informed his team as well as his fans that he is not willing to play the role of a second
team driver for another season.
The Brazilian driver has been urged by his team president, Luca di Montezemolo, a few days back to support the team as well as his teammate Fernando Alonso as much as possible. Montezemolo stated earlier this week that for the
rest of the season he wants to see, "a strong Massa who will shave points off the rivals."
Ferrari, like always have faced much heat from the fans as well as media for carrying team ordering this year as well. The team had a good start this season as they bagged a 1-2 finish at the curtain raiser in Bahrain, with Alonso
taking the first place while Massa stood second. However, the team had a dull middle season and only emerged as a strong competitor at the German Grand prix. But the race was followed by a lot of controversies as the stewards gave them a penalty of US $100,000
for carrying team orders. Massa, who was leading the race slowed down in the final laps, to let his teammate pass by him to take first position while he settled for second.
Following the race Massa has been clearly out of the tug for the title and now he is only paying the role of a facilitator for his Spaniard teammate.
A few days back his team management asked him to give his best on the track so that maximum points could be prevented from the rival teams while at the same time he should stay behind Alonso to ensure his title win.
Since, he has no other option, the driver declared that he is willing to help his team as well as his teammate for the rest of the season but this will not be repeated for another season.
Massa’s chances for the title were bleak this year anyways; he embraced a tough season because of the tyres problem that he has been facing since the start. He clarified his position saying that he has had a tough time adjusting
with this season’s tyres just like some of the other drivers. He continued telling that for his driving style the tyres are too hard. He further added that even the soft tyres are too hard for his style.
He explained this saying, “I don't think Michael has forgotten how to drive." It has already been stated by the Champion’s team and himself several times that his poor performance this year is largely due to the tyres that he has
not been able to adjust with.
Moreover, Massa couldn’t stop himself from saying that that he does not wish to waste his career being another Rubens Barrichello for Ferrari. He believes that quitting race is better than carrying it this way, "If that happens,
I will stop driving. I'm not going to go racing to be eligible for second place.”
He admitted that Alonso is a very good driver and he is proving his skills once again on the track but he was very vivid as he said that in the past years he has driven with some better drivers too.
He concluded saying that only four more races are to go and since he is not in the war for the title he will do his best to help the team.
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