Stop whingeing, Felipe
12th March 2008, 21:00 by Keith Collantine 24 Comments »
Felipe Massa’s peddling his hard luck stories again. Pass me the miniature violin:
Hopefully this weekend will go better than the last two in Australia. I have not been so lucky at this circuit in the past.
This after his claim that he lost last year’s title because of bad luck. No other driver chooses to constantly remind us of how hard done by he is.
He must have a short memory as his retirement in the 2006 race was his own doing. He tried to drive between two cars at the first corner and got spat into the barrier as a result. That’s not dumb luck, that’s dumb driving.
Last year he was held back by a gearbox problem in qualifying. That’s unlucky for him – but it’s not as if it didn’t happen to anyone else last year.
Fernando Alonso doesn’t go around whingeing about his gearbox failure at Magny-Cours, or Hamilton about his at Interlagos – without which either might have been champion last year. Massa seems to think he’s owed the title.
And don’t get me started on his griping about Silverstone last year.
Wesley said on 12th March 2008, 21:09
We will see who the better racer is at Ferrari this season with no T.C.Massa is just trying to plant his excuses early on so he can fall back on them later.If he REALLY wants to hear about reliabilty problems and bad luck he only needs to sit down with Kimi and ask him of his misfortunes in the past.
Keith Collantine said on 12th March 2008, 21:22
You mean these ones?
Daniel said on 12th March 2008, 21:33
It’s not only Massa complaining about his luck. Since Senna’s death, brazilian press is using a clear, if boring, strategy: they say our next champion hasn’t arrived yet due to misfortune, rather than to poor driving.
So, Barrichello was a victim of Ferrari’s discrimination, and now Massa is a victim of his bad luck… So, Felipe’s declarations are coherent with what his home press says about his situation…
Luck DOES play a significant role, and for sure there is a misterious thing called "champion’s luck", that Kimi lacked until 2007, but that’s part of the sport, and there’s nothing we can do about it…
Wesley said on 12th March 2008, 21:39
Yes,those ones.
Keith Collantine said on 12th March 2008, 21:54
Any excuse to drop a link in…
Daniel, that’s an interesting point about the Brazilian press. I imagine Massa letting Raikkonen win last year didn’t help either?
Kevin said on 12th March 2008, 22:55
Massa only shines on a sunny day at a Tilke track starting from P1. Until he can show the consistent pace of a champion I won’t take him seriously as a championship contender.
SoLiD said on 12th March 2008, 22:56
Massa is at Ferrari because he’s a good second driver… not a champion.
He and Fisico are great at finding excuses, but they just arent good enough period!
Mark said on 13th March 2008, 0:01
Big season for Massa. Is he Felipe Senna or Felipe Barichello?
Most of this board reckons he will be the later. I have seen enough to bet on the former.
As you said Daniel, a dash of luck can make some pretty big changes to your season.
Gman said on 13th March 2008, 3:41
I’ve been suprised that Felipe has been som strongly opposed to the baning of TC- he seems to see it as a safety issue, while many of the veteran drivers apparently are happy that It’s gone. Perhaps he is trying to come up with an early excuse…
Breno said on 13th March 2008, 4:45
In part, I agree with Daniel. In Brazil, Barrichelo is known as a loser. It is an injustice, but because he ran a Ferrari and never became even close to being a Senna, he is now a joke. Maybe this talking of Massa is just a way to escape that label. After all, he is the brazilian running a Ferrari now.
M Smith said on 13th March 2008, 7:26
I can’t play the violin for Felipe. Yes he has suffered some bad luck, but no more than normal. You want bad luck, Felipe? Talk to Mark Webber!
And to me, Felipe hasn’t proven himself to be a world class driver. Every one of his victories have been in the dry and from pole. If you want to prove that you can be champion, Felipe, try winning a race from 2nd on the grid…
John said on 13th March 2008, 10:22
have to agree with the peop-le saying he can only win on a sunny day from pole, unless he gets 8 or 9 poles this year he’ll never be close to champion, kimi will blow him away this year anbd i wouldnt be suprised if he finished outside the top four of the championship. he should have won at nurburgring last year but hethrew that away, he also threw away a victory at malaysia on a sunny day from pole…
Mick said on 13th March 2008, 10:46
Hi all totally off the subject but trying to find out why Mclaren are in the middle of the pit lane in melbourne next to red bull? shouldn’t they be at the end next to super aguri? i did a walk down pit lane yesterday afternoon amazing scenes what a buz but i was left a little bewildered as to why they were there does anyone know why?
Keith Collantine said on 13th March 2008, 10:50
Bernie Ecclestone changed McLaren’s pit lane position so they could fit their motorhome in: Is Bernie Ecclestone sticking up for McLaren again?
Daniel said on 13th March 2008, 14:10
Keith: The funny thing about Massa letting Raikkonen pass at his home grand prix was that the brazilian press didn’t complain about it as you would suppose. Perhaps already used to Barrichello doing the same even when there was nothing to lose if he won (like Austria 2002, when Schumacher was confortably ahead in the standings), they thought that, since it was the only way to give Kimi the title, letting him pass would be acceptable.
Oh, and don’t get me wrong. I agree with you that complaining about bad luck is useless, and diminishes your reputation… I’ve always respected Kimi for avoiding to do that even when everybody said he was the most unfortunate driver on the field.
As for Massa, I have to admit he didn’t show a true champion’s form on a race day yet, but at least he is the fastest driver on a single lap… If he improves his race pace on time, he’ll give us our 9th driver’s championship… The thing is: time is running out…