Massa will stay “aggressive” despite spin

2013 Japanese Grand Prix

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Felipe Massa says he will maintain his aggressive approach to racing despite his spin on the first lap in Korea.

Massa has five races left for Ferrari and is seeking a seat for the 2014 season.

“I will take an aggressive approach,” said Massa in Suzuka. “I did that in the last race, but unfortunately it didn’t pay off as I spun.”

“But you need to take risks and I will keep trying.”

It’s almost five years since Massa last won a race but he hopes the knowledge he has accumulated in over 180 grand prix starts will count in his favour on the driver market.

“I think my experience matters more. Everyone knows what I can bring to a team, especially at a time when everything will start from zero with new rules and I think I can bring a lot to a team.”

Massa echoed the words of technical director Pat Fry by warning that next year’s 100kg fuel limit could have a severe effect on the racing.

“Yes, it could be very frustrating to have to save fuel. Everything will be different, from the way you have to drive, the way you race and manage the car and how you use the fuel.

“I just hope it can be interesting to watch for the spectators and viewers and that it can also be interesting for the drivers. But we shouldn’t complain about something before we know how it’s going to be.”

2013 Japanese Grand Prix

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Image © Ferrari/Ercole Colombo

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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21 comments on “Massa will stay “aggressive” despite spin”

  1. Flat out racing isn’t the parameter to measure a driver’s skill and talent.

    Most notably Fernando and Kimi, both are very good in using the least input to make the most output.

    That gonna be key for next year. I don’t think there is ever more demanding regs in F1 ever on throttle control.

    Driver can’t afford to waste any kg of fuel for unnecessary maneuver. Meaning, the margin of error is very small.

    Those that are used to stepping on the throttle like crazy are gonna suffer.

    Contrary to public believe, 2014 is ever more driver dependent.

  2. Worrying that a driver who should have received a penalty in the last race for causing an accident says that he will “take an aggressive approach”. I hope the lack of a penalty in Korean doesn’t come back to bite us

  3. So Massa is going for the Barrichello, de la Rosa approach to find a drive for next year. Experience with changing regulations and with development, also he might be able to bring some kind of support from Brazil and he arguably isn’t necessarily slower than guys like DiResta or Sutil or Gutierrez, one of which still seeing himself as future champion. Not sure what teams will pick up that package but I wouldn’t rule him out for next season completely.

  4. dumbest thing a driver can do is be agressive and 1. Take out fellow team mate 2. Take out championship contender. That spin was so stupid, it almost took out alonso , it was alonso who took avoiding action, good on him, but that was dumb, well I don’t mind driver saying things like he ll be aggresive, but I am just saying its not expected from an experienced driver.

    1. Question is whether that aggressive approach (decision making in race craft, driving style etc) of his is gaining him time on the track, if not after several observations, then maybe that approach needs some change.

    2. I believe the spin was on purpose from Massa because he was about to go into the side of Alonso. Ferrari still pays the bills for now and I’m sure would be helpful in his career further on. Had he not spun he would have speared Alonso into that turn.

      1. i dont think so, he braked late to avoid one of the merc’s , he was just trying to prove a point last week end, with that whole drama in P2 with kimi. Had alonso not gone straight he would have tagged massa’s rear wing.

  5. I’m with Felipe here. He has nothing to lose. Might as well go for glory as playing it safe and making up the numbers won’t be enough to keep him in F1 in 2014.

  6. Almost five years in a Ferrari without a race win. Jeez. I know, Hockenheim, but still. Five years.

    1. W (@yesyesyesandyesagain)
      10th October 2013, 15:00

      I know it is an excuse, but it has to be hard to get motivated to race hard for the win when you know that if you do happen to be leading a race you will have to give up the win to your teammate.

      1. Massa didn’t have to do anything. He should’ve said ‘no guys this is my victory’ and even if he’d been sacked there and then he would’ve left with his head held high.

    2. Hockenheim 2010 alonso would have passed him anyhow

      1. Just like he got past Petrov…….

      2. I’m not sure if I laugh of if I cry with this kind or analysis.

  7. Massa will stay aggressive as that’s literally all he has left, he has nothing else up his sleeve. Only time will tell (a few days time), if it is a good idea or not.

    1. W (@yesyesyesandyesagain)
      10th October 2013, 15:12

      It all depends on the outcome. If Massa drives hard and gets ahead of Alonso we will all praise him for his tenacity. If he goes over the edge and puts himself into the wall, we will all declare him washed up and dangerous. But if he just mopes around the track and finishes 7th or 8th then he really hurts his chances of making a good impression on potential employers. This situation puts him in a tough spot and being aggressive is really his best option. However, he should have been driving with this kind of passion for the past three years, too bad it took him getting fired to realize that.

  8. Possibly a gifted 4x WDC to Vettel incoming.

  9. Massa made a fool of himself at Korea, and with a similar approach I would expect the same at Suzuka.

    Massa is the only driver capable of making a poor reputation even poorer

  10. He has nothing to lose. Though I can’t see the benefits of all this bash and trash.

    It’s not like since 2010, he’s been precisely behind Alonso and was not alowed to overtake. Usually, he was very far from him.

    Why didn’t he try to catch him up a bit before? The best he can hope for is a new team and car for next year. This year’s gone already, Felipe ! Spinning on turn 3 won’t help, and making stupid moves can only move you backwards.

  11. Jack (@jackisthestig)
    10th October 2013, 21:04

    Since Massa is now just driving to see out the end of his contract and given how many Japanese fans turned up just to watch the teams setting up, perhaps giving Kobayashi Massa’s seat for this weekend would have been a good gesture.

  12. Correction.

    Massa will stay “aggressive” despite the last four years.

Comments are closed.