Felipe y Ferrari

[herr_oberst]

Much as I admire him - he used to have real pace and was a regular race winner - there is NO WAY that he finishes the season with Ferrari unless something astonishing happens and he gets his old speed back. Ferrari has given him ample chance to get back to form. The natives (Italian natives) are getting restless.

SO, who replaces him as interim and who will be the 2013 driver

My guess is:

Jarno Trulli for interim 2012 after Monaco

Sergio Perez for 2013.

What say you?

[ZAMIRZ]

You really think they'll cut him mid-season?

After last weekend, I wouldn't be surprised if they are looking hard at Pastor for next year. He pays to drive for Williams, so they could probably get him for relatively cheap.

[URY914]

He's out before the end of the season. No question aboutit

[ZAMIRZ]

The Ferrari is beyond lousy this year. Fernando is doing all he can to overcome the car, but without major luck (weather) or some serious reworking, I don't even see them in the top 3 for the constructor's championship. Red Bull, Mclaren, MBZ and Lotus all seem to be either superior or getting better. Hell, it even looks like Force India is beginning to creep up the ladder.

I think once Pirelli and the FIA sort the tire issue out, everything is going to make more sense.

[Reg]

If they can throw Truli in there why not Villeneuve? He competed alongside and worked with both Massa and Alonso before.

Truli or Barrichello would be a better choice as well as the two prior Torro Rosso drivers of last year and perhpas Sutil?

I feel for Massa but he really needs to get out of there.

[dan79brooklyn]

How's Kubica doing?
I always thought he was well regarded and Ferrari had an eye on him. I'd love to see him back in F1.

[ShakinJoe]

He got lapped......by his teammate. Think about it....he is gone.

I like Perez but I think they will hire a European.

[mph911]

Massa is hard to watch right now. The Ferrari is not one of the top cars, but Alonso is still reaping in the points. The Alonso/Massa gap is ridiculous.

Ferrari have rarely put a young driver in, and even rarer (never) sacked a driver mid-season. Ferrari also have a thing with Brazillian drivers, something to do with the Fiat market there.

They have nothing to lose by bringing in a young charger like Bianchi or another young GP2 driver that can gain some seat time for the rest of the season.
I think Perez is better off where he is and I pray they don't bring back Trulli or another has-been.
Webber will be with Ferrari next year

[968rz]

I thought (could be wrong) I heard somewhere that Massa was looking at NASCAR.
I could definitely see him getting the axe this year given his performance the last few.
Plus he gets angry and then drives even more poorly.

[Deschodt]

Rumor is Perez if he wished to jump mid season, which he may not. In which case Sutil has been sniffing around Sauber... Sutil could take the 1/2 season gig at Ferrari too... DiResta (Franchitti's cousin) was also mentioned, same "sutil fill-in" situation, this time at Force India... Barichello might have been a good idea but I think he's fully committed in Indycar now..

I agree, Massa has scored 2 points vs close to 60 for Alonso. Hell they could hire ME and I wouldn't score much less ;-) But since I won't fit in the car, any of the above is fine... Personally I'd like to see Heikki Kovalainen be given another shot at a top team...

[5String43]

I would love to see Kubica get the drive, but I've heard nothing at all about his recovery for several months now. Was wondering about that while I watched the Spanish GP, in fact.

It does seem to me that poor Filipe hasn't been the same since he was injured so terribly. Plus, Fernando is a hard act to follow - that guy is a driver, for sure.

One of the sites I look at says Jerome D'Ambrosio is a candidate for the drive - he's one of the few who is available immediately, is the reasoning. We shall see, I guess.

[OffCamber00]

Perez has already said he won't leave Sauber mid-season, even if Ferrari come calling. I suppose that won't necessarily mean much if the offer does come. Who would turn down that offer?

Whether its Perez or someone else, a change is definitely needed. But they will need someone who is not just a good driver - they have that already in FM. Unless they get someone who can maximize the poor car they have, it will do no good.

Kubica would be a perfect choice but sadly, his F1 career is over.

[gtc]

I like Jarno, but I doubt he is enough of a dick to drive for Ferrari.

[motion]

I think they should put Michael back in a red car.... or find a fast Chinese driver.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by gtc

I like Jarno, but I doubt he is enough of a dick to drive for Ferrari.

LOL that is funny, but Truli has truly past his prime. He is not fast. Seems like the trend is to select from the 3.5 Renault Series.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by motion

....a fast Chinese driver.

Oxymoron

[algs911]

Felipe will go mid-season, I believe. He'll be replaced by one of the drivers from a Ferrari-engined team. If it were my guess, it'd be Perez (even though he said he would not).

Al

[dienstuhr]

Jarno Trulli...? Good God no.

Villeneuve was testing an F1 Ferrari just last week!

[Amail]

Ferrari is making noises now about Felipe's performance, they're under a lot of pressure to improve. I think they'll throw him under the bus if he doesn't improve pronto. They want their constructor money, and Felipe is NOT delivering the goods. Lapped in Barcelona by his team mate? Sheesh! Put a fork in him, he's done.

I fully expect "Perez moving into Felipe's seat" headlines after Monaco. I wonder what will happen with Smedley.

[rusnak]

I think they'll get Perez. What they should do is make Hamilton an offer he can't refuse. But I don't think that'll happen for several reasons. Ferrari don't have the budget they used to, Fernando will throw a fit, and Hamilton is loyal to McLaren.