Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo reveals probable candidates to replace Felipe Massa
Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has revealed some of the contenders to take Massa’s seat after the Brazilian’s contract ends at the end of 2012.
The Ferrari president mentioned names like Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Sergio Perez and Jules Bianchi as drivers who are being looked into for the coveted seat of Massa for the 2013 season.
Montezemolo has also praised Massa and shown faith that he can make a return to form in the 2012 season. However, he has also been critical of his performance in the 2011 season and has publicly warned Massa, over his upcoming season performance which will
depend on whether the Brazilian gets to secure his race seat beyond 2012 or not.
Massa had a poor 2011 season, he was not able to claim any wins. The season saw an ugly altercation between him and McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton. The dispute caused both drivers as it dealt the duo with penalties, crashes and race retirements.
Both were criticised over their on-track behaviour but Hamilton pulled it back with a better season end after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton ended with three wins for the season. Massa was targeted by the Ferrari President for the dismal showing
throughout the 2011 season.
“2012 is the crucial season for Felipe. We were not satisfied with his past season and neither was he,” Montezemolo is quoted by Corriere dello Sport newspaper. “What I cannot forget is the fact that Felipe was often faster than Michael Schumacher and Kimi
Raikkonen. He helped Kimi to his championship and a year later was a hair short of being champion himself.”
“If the tyres warm up for him better next season, we believe Felipe can cope much better,” he said.
Montezemolo said that Ferrari are keeping their options open and Button was excellent in 2011 coming up as runners up. Mark Webber was also good and Nico Rosberg drove well in a less competitive car. He also mentioned Sergio Perez who has developed in the
Ferrari academy and Jules Bianchi who can be groomed through further testing.
The only surprise omission in the list of names was Robert Kubica. It remains to be seen though whether Ferrari will require a driver or not, the future depends on the performance Massa delivers in 2012.
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