The Ferrari thread !

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Originally Posted by 555-04Q2

Yes, MS is retired as an F1 driver, but he still works for.....wait for it.....Ferrari. The thread is about Ferrari and all things Ferrari :) Where does the problem lie then with discussing MS :confused:

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Depends on what to discuss about MS. :) It certainly doesn't look like his role as an advisor has been much discussed here!

As for 2010 performance, I have to say like I think I have mentioned somewhere else already - the outcome of the reshuffling in the team is still unclear and may have a negative effect. Ferrari may have the mentioned Alonso, but the basis of success of an F1 team is much more complicated than that and even Ross Brawn hasn't achieved what he has singlehandedly. Prost, who was rated as the smartest driver of all, could only watch his team struggling in 1991.

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Originally Posted by jens

Depends on what to discuss about MS. :) It certainly doesn't look like his role as an advisor has been much discussed here!

As for 2010 performance, I have to say like I think I have mentioned somewhere else already - the outcome of the reshuffling in the team is still unclear and may have a negative effect. Ferrari may have the mentioned Alonso, but the basis of success of an F1 team is much more complicated than that and even Ross Brawn hasn't achieved what he has singlehandedly. Prost, who was rated as the smartest driver of all, could only watch his team struggling in 1991.

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Maybe it was Michael's role as an advisor that delayed the dip Ferrari had post-Schumi-in-the-cockpit?

Had he not been there, it is doubtful that Massa would have had the support of the team that he appears to have gained, since Felipe has not come across as being a hard-nose in the manner of Michael, Fernando, Lewis, etc.

Had Felipe not become defacto team leader, Ferrari didn't have one in the other car, so the momentum carried over from the Todt-Schumacher-Brawn days could well have been lost even more quickly than it was.

I see the signing of Fernando by Ferrari as the management attempting to introduce a catalyst to refire the direction of the team. I think that Ferrari see in Fernando somebody who can identify who he wants to work with, much in the same way Michael & Jean did.

Lightning might not strike twice, but the Fernando factor was a move that Ferrari had to make.

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Originally Posted by tamburello

Lightning might not strike twice, but the Fernando factor was a move that Ferrari had to make.

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Having only one motivated racer was not an option, for sure! ;)

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Originally Posted by ioan

Having only one motivated racer was not an option, for sure! ;)

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And a large pay off from a Spanish bank was very nice too. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by DexDexter

And a large pay off from a Spanish bank was very nice too. :rolleyes:

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Let's just say that Ferrari could have easily paid off Kimi without the help of Santander, given that they used to operate on 300+ million USD and next year there is a reduced budget agreement.
I'm not buying into Santander having a say in Kimi being sidelined story.

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Originally Posted by henners88

His last 2 season's were an anti climax as he was beaten by Fernando Alonso.

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A somewhat simplistic view and somewhat illuminating of your inconsistent knowledge.

The F2005/Bridgestone car/tyre combination was woefully short on the R25/Michelin car/tyre combination throughout 05, and the 248 was, until halfway through the 06 season, not capable of matching/beating the R26 other than at Imola, a race where Michael still could make the difference.

Despite the R26 being a better car for 50% of the races, Michael was still more than capable of winning races he shouldn't....China 06, his last win, being ample proof of that.

Come to think of it, when did your young pup last win from 6th on the grid?

After all, if he hasn't done that, his entire career to date is a bit of an anti-climax.

Winning from the front row isn't hard. Even Jarno Trulli has done it.

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Originally Posted by henners88

Indeed but since when are issues relating to the car acceptable when defending a Ferrari driver? Kimi had 5 poor races in 2008 and an impressive 2009 season yet he is over paid scum of the earth.

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Did I miss MS being beaten by Felipe like Kimi was?! :/

You see we use the same yardstick for both, their team mate, objective enough IMO.

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Originally Posted by JRodrigues

Especially since they totally abandoned development during 2009 season, making it possible to work on the 2010 car for Mr. SantAlonso.

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Yes. That is the risk they took. But it was not the time spent that made Brawn what it was, but the idea and implimentation thereof.

Remember, Red Bull Racing was the team that did their work the latest.

That is why I think that Alonso is the essential ingredient. Its the way that Ferrari function and have done so since they were rescued and their entire thinking restructured by Niki Lauda.

Ferrari do well when they have at their core the best driver - and Alonso is not the best, but the ONLY driver than can do it for them once the car has been produced.

In the Ferrari this year - and WHAT a waste of Alonso ability 2009 was - Ferrari would have won more than one grand prix and beaten Mclaren. And Massa does appear to be the driver that can keep up with the Spanish ace.

I have the feeling that Massa will be stronger than ever when he returns.

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

In the Ferrari this year - and WHAT a waste of Alonso ability 2009 was - Ferrari would have won more than one grand prix and beaten Mclaren. And Massa does appear to be the driver that can keep up with the Spanish ace.

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:rotflmao:

Alonso would not have won one race with the 2009 Ferrari.