Felipe Massa to watch out at his home race in Brazil
The Formula One caravan gets ready for the 18th and the second last round of the season, the Brazilian Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place this Sunday. Just like the entire 2010 season, this round is also expected to be very thrilling and awe-inspiring not only for the teams, but also for all the race fans.
Brazil had always been a great race venue, but this round is going to be even more thrilling than the ones witnessed over the years. Well, there are of course a number of reasons for that; firstly, because it is the penultimate race of the season, as only one more race will be left after this, and some even believe that this round can be the decisive one to determine the champion. Secondly, the championship battle has taken a very intense form with only two more races to go, yet the top four men; Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, and Jenson Button stand with a difference of just 25 points. Moreover, the season has unfolded in such a surprising manner that now, the teams as well as the race fans expect to see anything on the track at all.
Ok, accepted that all this is very thrilling and exhilarating, but what makes the race even more special this year is ‘Felipe Massa’. The Ferrari driver is the man to watch out at this next race of the season.
The driver is out for his home race this weekend, and like any other driver he is of course excited and adamant to his best; however, the season has not been that simple for the driver. In Formula One doing best simply means trying to win the race, and when driving at home nothing less than this can be desired, particularly when you have a fast car under you as well.
But, for Massa things are a little odd this year as he could not do ‘too well’ because of his team’s dual standards. The driver had been a victim of his team’s race strategy all through the season. Earlier, this season at the German Grand Prix, while the Ferrari team was heading for a 1-2 finish, the Brazilian received a coded message on his car radio, telling him that his teammate, Fernando Alonso was quicker than him. Following the message, Massa slowed down to let his partner pass by thus, handing over his due victory to the latter, while he settled for 2nd place on the podium.
Although the team got condemned by all the other teams for following a forbidden strategy, yet they continued doing the same. Moreover, they were also penalised a penalty of US$100,000 for this violating the code of conduct; however, they escaped any further punishments and did not have any of the points stripped.
Following the race, a lot of issues had been witnessed between the team and Massa, who initially rejected to act as a second driver for the team. He openly refused in front of the media that he would not act as a No. 2 driver for the team and would rather prefer quitting.
However, only before the last round in Korea, all of a sudden, the driver accepted to help and assist his team as well as his teammate. A lot of analysts and reporters said that it was the result of some stern words coming from the team principal, Stefano Domenicali, who had said before the Japanese Grand Prix, that whoever races for Ferrari, races for the benefit of the team rather than for himself. Also, the other team driver, Alonso had said that he expects to see Massa chopping off as many points as he can from the rivals to ensure his dominance.
The last race in Korea actually saw the Brazilian doing so. He did his best to end at third place on the podium. The act was appreciated by the team as well as his teammate and similar results are expected from the driver in the last two races.
As the driver heads for his home race, the team and race analysts are concerned as to how will the driver act like now. In his home town and in front of his home crowd, will he want to give up a race position if his teammate requires one?, Or will he really do his best to earn as many points as he can irrespective of the team orders?, and last but not the least; how will his decision affect his repute as well as that of the FIA in the eyes of the Brazil race lovers?
Only three more days to go and the answer to all these questions will be disclosed on the Interlagos track in Brazil.
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