Who will Massa's replacement be?

[ArrowsFA1]

Not on the Red Bull scale, but didn't Ferrari set up a young driver scheme a year or so ago? Did anything come of that and if so would any of their young drivers be able to step in?

I don't see Badoer or Gene getting the drive, and I'd be very surprised to see MS back racing. Everything he's said since retiring points to the fact that it's not something he wants to do.

Alonso is a possible, with some very big 'ifs'. If Felipe is out for the rest of the season, which seems probable, and if Alonso has signed for Ferrari beginning in 2010, and if Renault lose their appeal against their suspension then it kind of makes sense, although Renault may have something to say about it.

[Mark]

The only way I see Alonso driving for Ferrari in 2009 is if he's going to drive for the rest of the season and in 2010.

Even then I'd still put it in the 'extremely unlikely' pile.

[jens]

Piquet and Bourdais aren't as bad as Yoong, even though Yoong hasn't been as bad recently, if that makes sense.

I agree Piquet & Bourdais aren't as bad as Yoong. Just brought as an example that car deficiencies can't be often brought as an excuse for underperformance.

[CNR]

'Ferrari open to Schumacher return'
http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...457068,00.html

According to The Times, 'The team have three reserve drivers on their books in addition to Massa's team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen, in Luca Badoer, Marc Gené and Schumacher, the seven-times world champion.

[leopard]

I agree Piquet & Bourdais aren't as bad as Yoong. Just brought as an example that car deficiencies can't be often brought as an excuse for underperformance.

Not so sure until we know them racing together on the same car. Obviously Alex Yoong has enough knowledge about motorsport besides of his commercial look, he becomes regular guest speaker and commentator on several TV networks.

[ArrowsFA1]

'Ferrari open to Schumacher return'
http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...457068,00.html

I do love the way these stories are created

[ioan]

I do love the way these stories are created

Yep, just a sensationalist article.

They talk about imminent decisions about if he can or can't come back next season, when Felipe only went through brain surgery 3 days ago!
I hate stupid journos and sadly motorsport is full of them.

[Valve Bounce]

Not on the Red Bull scale, but didn't Ferrari set up a young driver scheme a year or so ago? Did anything come of that and if so would any of their young drivers be able to step in?

I don't see Badoer or Gene getting the drive, and I'd be very surprised to see MS back racing. Everything he's said since retiring points to the fact that it's not something he wants to do.

Alonso is a possible, with some very big 'ifs'. If Felipe is out for the rest of the season, which seems probable, and if Alonso has signed for Ferrari beginning in 2010, and if Renault lose their appeal against their suspension then it kind of makes sense, although Renault may have something to say about it.

If spelt backwards is F1. Yours is the most compelling case.

[Valve Bounce]

I do love the way these stories are created

Yeah! I wonder whether News of the World contributed to it.

[christophulus]

The only way I see Alonso driving for Ferrari in 2009 is if he's going to drive for the rest of the season and in 2010.

Even then I'd still put it in the 'extremely unlikely' pile.

Even if that was true I seriously doubt Renault would release him from his contract early.

Plus he'd probably be in breach of the contracts he has with sponsors at Renault, and it's not feasible for just one race as he'd hardly be popular back at Renault from Spa onwards, unless he brought some Ferrari data with him