Comments on: Will Ferrari come calling for Kubica?

By: Stephen Dutton

Stephen Dutton — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:35:32 +0000

Kubica is definitely a talent in the car but out of it he can be a bit of a clown, selecting Renault after a bad year at BMW was a career breaker, If he had gone to Toyota he could have kept the team in F1 and had a competitive car, otherwise there many many other options even at Sauber, the Renault was a dog in Alonso’s hands, even Kubica is not that good, waste

By: Martin Smith

Martin Smith — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:22:33 +0000

Rafael: James Allen reports in an interesting piece on his blog that Massa’s best time at Barcelona was almost three seconds faster than Rossi’s 1 min 21.9 – but of course the relative set-ups, fuel weights and tyre choices are not known.

I suspect that Massa’s life-threatening accident last summer may, paradoxically, have strengthened his position at Ferrari. His comeback this year will have a strong human-interest appeal to fans and casual observers alike. Previous régimes at Ferrari would probably not have allowed such considerations to influence decisions on future driver line-ups, but I think Ferrari (like F1 in general) is acutely aware of the possible effects of negative PR at present. Moreover, Massa seems to be extremely popular within the team. I tend to think that his place in one of the race seats will remain safe for 2011 unless he is completely trounced by Alonso in the coming season.

Besides, Alonso may be on cordial terms with Kubica but that certainly doesn’t mean that he would welcome the Pole as a threatening team-mate!

By: Kelvin

Kelvin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:48:31 +0000

I think most people assume that Alonso will simply walk over Massa. I tend to think otherwise. Massa is a hard nut to crack. Alonso might find himself being the one who’s replaced by Kubica if he’s outperformed by the underrated Massa.

By: Roger White

Roger White — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:49:44 +0000

Hi Nigel I agree wholeheartedly with you about kubica. How about Schumaker and vettel for mercedes Benz in 2010

By: Rafael Perez

Rafael Perez — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:08:49 +0000

Kubica is a great talent and rated as such by his pears, fingers crossed he will get a proper car to show that he belongs in the top drawer with the likes of Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel and Schumacher.
I guess Massa is still out there to prove he is back with the level he showed the last 2 seasons to be listed in the 1st group; what kind of worries me is that his times in the Barcelona test were not published, which on my understanding mean he didn’t beat Rossi, that would not be a good sign if true.
Weber, I have to recognize that he is 12 Kg heavier that Vettel and still keeping him on his toes and beating him on the odd day, wouldn’t you love if they just equalized the drives weight?
Button is still an open question for me, yes he is the world champion, but I just can’t get him in the 1st group reviewing the level of his team mates, I guess he will convince everybody if he keeps the pace with Hamilton, right?
So, 2nd list is Weber, Massa, Kubica, Heidfeld, Barrichello, Glock, Rosberg and Sutill, all of them very good but still out there to show they can go all the way; there are many other promises out there, I’ll love if finally Japan gets a real top driver in Kobayashi.
Räikkönen, I would like to have him coming back, hopefully in a team that could keep him with the man on mission attitude, he is formidable when tuned in to that, the problem seems that no one has found the way to do it long Enough.

By: Antonio Posser

Antonio Posser — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:00:56 +0000

Kubica is great, no doubts about it but Massa in dry conditions is a very tough oponnent. Even if i agree that Alonso is the best of the field let see how he goes against Massa.
My dream team at Ferrari is Alonso and Vettel and i believe that if Ferrari wants to replace Massa is first option will be Vettel, not Kubica.
I will be very surprised if at the end of 2010 Hamilton and Vettel will not be considered the best ones.

By: David Goddard

David Goddard — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:03:50 +0000

Greetings John, from a rain-drenched Pom. I agree with you about Mark Webber: I’ve just bet on him for the championship, each-way at 16/1.
What an interesting variety of views about Kubica. Maybe it’s time to remember Alonso’s and Hamilton’s great respect for him….
My own feeling is that Kubica is a top-class talent, deserving of a top-class car – and the only likely disappointment in what looks set to be an amazing season is that he might not have one.
Good luck to him on the Monte, by the way.

By: john read

john read — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:51:36 +0000

Don’t write Webber off for 2010. I reckon he went pretty well last year with a crook leg and a sore shoulder for much of the season. Oh yes, and greetings from sunny down-under.

By: Pat O'Brien

Pat O'Brien — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:02:04 +0000

I’d agree with Nigel completely but for Kubica’s 2009: Heidfeld consistently was his better. I don’t know what happened to Robert last year but the year before he was the only teammate to have bested Heidfeld. I don’t put Nick in the first category of driver but he’s a great #2 at a top team or #1 for a midfield team. He’s fast and he doesn’t break cars. He’s always been seen as a guy who doesn’t quite give 100% but he’s given enough to have beaten everyone he’s driven beside.

By: D.C.

D.C. — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:52:54 +0000

Kubica, still has a lot to prove. Scored one lucky win, been outdriven by Heidfield more often than not over the past couple of years.

By: DDT

DDT — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:19:07 +0000

First, there are no bad drivers out there, if you’re not sure about that, try it yourself and see how you feel afterwards. (some schools have fast open wheelers)

With all respect, I just don’t see Kubica being in the same league with the top drivers. Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel, Button are out there proving they’re that good. Sure they have better cars, but Alonso looked good even in the Renault, and Hamilton was over-achieving all year.

Massa is a little bit of a mystery, and he’ll have his hands full with Alonso. But Fisichella showed what a dog that Ferrari really was. Kimi and Massa were both over-achieving too. And remember Massa has out driven Kimi head to head.

I like Kubica’s aggression, and he’s obviously quick. But he’s been manhandled by Heidfeld several times. I would need him to prove he’s better than that, but it won’t happen in the Renault. I don’t see Ferrari dumping Massa unless Robert finds another gear, maybe two.

However, we all underestimated Button (well I did,), so i could certainly be wrong again.

By: Michael Spitale

Michael Spitale — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:00:47 +0000

Kubica is a bit over rated to me…. Never really seen anything amazing and Heidfeld out drove him this past year. Even his 1 and only win was a gift from the team as they forced Nick to move over fro him earlier in the race. To me the real prize is who gets Vettel in 2 years.

By: Istvan Simon

Istvan Simon — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:51:40 +0000

Kubica has got a lot more natural talent than Massa, no question. Both are hard-workers, but Kubica can lose heart if the car isn’t up to the job (like in 2009).
I find Rich Ambroson’s comment a bit ridiculous (Massa as “the 2008 WDC”), and I can’t remember any “epic drive” from him. For me, starting from the pole position and winning a race by a margin – as Felipe has usually done – is not the same as starting from the midfield and wrestling through to the podium.

Kubica is the better driver but that doesn’t mean at all that Ferrari will drop Massa at first opportunity. They need a solid, trustable No.2 behind Alonso.

By: David Ruddick

David Ruddick — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:35:51 +0000

I have to say that Kubica “excites” me when I watch him, he does seem to have an inbuilt pure speed sadly lacking in some of his peer group, namely his ex partner at BMW “Quick Nick”, who has never done it for me I’m afraid.

By: john miller

john miller — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:50:51 +0000

I know you can prove anything with statistics, but I think they are worth looking at here, simply because many people seem to think Kubica is at the top of the first division and that Heidfeld is firmly in the second division.

However, in the complete seasons they have been together, Nick has outscored Robert two years out of three. Points totals are Kubica 131 Heidfeld 140.

That doesn’t prove Nick is a better driver necessarily, but it proves to me that Kubica isn’t quite as good as he’s cracked up to be and Heidfeld is rather better than he is perceived.

By: Darren

Darren — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:08:19 +0000

Antony, think you`re absolutely spot on with regard to one of the skills of reaching the absolute top is having the “nous” to get your backside in the right car at the right time. However whilst I can only judge Kubica from what I read and see it seems that he is a pure racer – a cliche, but true – and not interested in the politics enough to play that game. Shades of Kimi? However that`s why I regard him so highly, but perhaps that could also be his weakness. Despite all that I agree with most of you that if he does end up in the right place he could prove to be dominant force for a good few years to come.

By: antony obrien

antony obrien — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:08:24 +0000

Well im going to go against conventional wisdom. Hes the best defensive driver in the business probably but then you have to ask why hes always having to defend his position. I would put him in the 2nd group of drivers that includes Webber, Rosberg, Button & Massa.

Id also say that monoeuvering yourself into a decent car is as important a quality as being quick. Everyone from Fangio to Prost had a better career because of that ability. So far Kubica has been in the right car once and even then they failed because they switched development to the next seasons car. Not necessarily his fault but can you imagine them doing that to an Alonso? no!

By: Steve Sheard

Steve Sheard — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:11:17 +0000

Interesting that people mention Vettel amongst the best in F1 at the moment. Vettel = Massa in that they have the ability to dominate a race from the front with incredible pace but are left wanting and unable to improvise when racecraft is required. Jenson is undoubtedly a better driver than both of them. Top 4 in no order Hamilton, Alonso, Kubica, Button. Schumacher wasn’t the best driver 3 years ago so why would he be now, Alonso took that batton off him when he bullied him into lifting off around 130R in 2005. New season can’t come quick enough.

By: Schwag of Tulsa

Schwag of Tulsa — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:10:11 +0000

Mr. Kubica is one of those rare drivers who impressed straight off, like Alonso and Vettel. I’m sure Ferrari will be wise enough to keep their eye on him in case a seat should come available.

He certainly deserves a more competitive car than he’s had so far!

By: Rich Ambroson

Rich Ambroson — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:18:45 +0000

I am in agreement with Mario and Adrain, that it’s a bit unreal to think of dropping Massa like he’s a midfielder. The man not only has the true heart of a champion, he really was pretty much the WDC in 08.

Kubica is one of the tops in F1 these days, no question. I just don’t see him being leagues better than Massa. If Massa is on usual form this year after recovery, he’s also well established at the Scuderia and knows their work methods and communications style and it would be foolish to drop him for a relatively unknown quantity. Look how it worked out at the end of ’06.—now they’re paying the guy they brought it to push Schumacher out with back then to not race in F1 this year…

By: Tony Geran

Tony Geran — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:24:34 +0000

Nigel I agree and don’t forget Kubica painted half of his helmet red when he raced at Monza in 2008 as tribute to the feelings he has for Italy since his karting days. This will be a very challenging year for Massa, if he keeps Alonso honest then he will keep his seat for a long time. Let’s hope that Renault do as good a job on their chassis this year as they did on their engines last year.

By: Adrian Lever

Adrian Lever — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:18:04 +0000

Gentlemen , frankly I am lost for words at reading this months comments . How long does it take to lose favour . ” Ferrari would drop Massa in a minute etc ” What a load of nonsense . We are talking about a guy who almost became world champion . This is in no way belittleing the obvious talent of Kubica .Have you forgotten already the epic drives of Massa ? You are relegating him already to the role of test driver . Shame on you

By: Mario Carneiro Neto

Mario Carneiro Neto — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:01:18 +0000

Felipe Massa does not deserve to be drpped for Kubica.

And regardless of their friendship, an Alonso/Kubica pairing will prove to be a very big handful for the Ferrari team…

I don’t think it will happen

By: Grant Levis

Grant Levis — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:13:09 +0000

Nigel, great comments as always, would you mind divulging your current top 4 or 5 current drivers, obviously you include Kubica, Alonso, Hamilton, maybe Vettel, and if you leave out St Michael you’ll of course increase the comments tenfold.
I also think Kubica is very special, a great pity BMW couldn’t continue the early promise they showed as they had potentially a great team. Is that another blog for this year, “what happened to BMW”, others could be “how did Force India come good then fade again” or “how and why was the Ferrari apparently so average”

By: Scott Chesney

Scott Chesney — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:18:53 +0000

Kubica or Massa? A “no brainer”: Ferrari would drop Massa in a second if Kubica became available; or more likely drop Badoer and move Massa in to the test/reserve role; they would be right to do so too, since Kubica is head and shoulders above Massa in terms of innate talent, agression and ability to drive around car niggles. He is one of the top four drivers going forward, no doubt about it.

By: Bob Smith

Bob Smith — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:57:09 +0000

I agree. I have backed him 2 years running in a little bet with friends. It takes being in the right car at the right time to be a champion. I hope at some point the pieces align for Kubica.

By: Philip Senior

Philip Senior — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:50:40 +0000

Ferrari had to release Raikkonen and Schumacher as they had a surplus of drivers, so am undecided whether Kubica fits into their plans. Of course, if Massa has recovered properly and decides he’s not up to the job, then Ferrari may be looking for a decent partner for Alonso, but that could be this season not next. Would Renault let him move mid-season, as Fisichella did from Force India?