F1 Fanatic

You can’t force the drivers or teams to do that, though.

About the Ferrari situation.
The brazilian journalist Flavio Gomes speculated about Massa’s future in this post-race post on his blog (http://flaviogomes.warmup.com.br/2012/10/suzuketes-3/, in portugues).
He noticed that Massa said he still had a lot to prove in Formula 1, and used the expression F1 where he could have used Ferrari in a few other occasions after the race. It is speculative, he also admits, but if you add to that Massa’s demeanor after his first podium in almost 2 years, one might infer that Massa has lost his seat and knows it. But he still wants to continue to drive a F1 (with Sauber as a not impossible option, as his personal history shows).
He really didn’t seem to know how to react to his great drive and 2nd place finish. Is this the end of his career, his last good race? Or does he still want to prove himself in F1, even if it’s not in a Ferrari.
I get the feeling Massa is looking for a seat, and he might be hoping for the Sauber cockpit. And after 3 weak seasons, it is time for him to leave Ferrari.

I would not go reading too much into that report on Massa from Brazil. I’ve noticed that Brazilian journalists talk up Brazilian drivers at every opportunity, and that what they say isn’t always representative of reality. I seem to recall one of them trying to make out that Bruno Senna would stay at Lotus at Kimi Raikkonen’s request last year …

It’s getting more and more tricky to predict.

I agree with the consensus on here in that I expect either Hulkenberg or Massa to get the second Ferrari, most likely Massa.

Once that seat is filled then the effects will dribble through the grid.

I heard that Maldonado isn’t actually sure he’ll be at Williams. Is Grosjean safe? No confirmation from Raikkonen either, despite having a contract. What about Kobayashi? I’d say Perez is better, but I wouldn’t say the gap is so big that one deserves a McLaren, and the other nothing.

With 4 or 5 decent rookies ready to step up, someone is going to be disappointed.

My guess:
Massa to stay at Ferrari.
Gutiérrez to be promoted at Sauber alongside Hulkenberg.
Kobayashi joins Di Resta at Force India.

I can’t imagine that Bottas won’t be in a Williams race seat next year, and Maldonado will surely stay now. Chavez in, Senna out!

Red Bull:
Vettel (c)
Webber (c)
Razia as reserve (?)

McLaren
Button (c)
Perez (c)

Ferrari
Alonso (c)
Massa (?)

Lotus
Raikkonen (?)
Grosjean (?)

Mercedes
Rosberg (c)
Hamilton (c)

Sauber
Kobayashi/Hulkenberg/Gutierrez/Alguersuari
Frijns/Gutierrez as reserve

Force India
diResta/Bianchi/Hulkenberg/Alguersuari
Buemi as reserve (?)

Williams
Maldonado (?)
Bottas (?)
Frijns as reserve (?)

STR
Vergne (?)
Ricciardo (?)
Antonio Felix da Costa as reserve (?)

Marussia
Glock (c)
Chilton (?)

Caterham
Kovalainen (?)
van der Garde/Pic
Rossi as reserve (?)

HRT
de la Rosa (?)
Ma/van der Garde/Valesecchi

I’m only going by what I see, and since I don’t read or speak Portuguese, what I see is the stuff that gets re-posted in English. And most of that is stuff that talks up the chances of Brazilian drivers getting or retaining seats.

To be honest, that video seems like an announcement for a sponsor or new haircut. Don’t think Kimi’d be too enthusiastic about creating a spectacle for his new/extended contract. But I could be wrong.

Right now, I’d say:

Red Bull:
Vettel
Webber

McLaren
Button
Perez

Ferrari
Alonso
Hulkenberg

Lotus
Raikkonen
Grosjean

Mercedes
Hamilton
Rosberg

Sauber
Kovalainen
Gutierrez

Force India
Di Resta
Bianchi

Williams
Maldonado
Bottas

STR
Vergne
Ricciardo
Bonus: One of them to be replaced by Antonio Felix da Costa or Luiz Razia if they don’t deliver in 2013.

Marussia
Glock
Chilton

Caterham
van der Garde
Pic

HRT
de la Rosa
da Costa/Razia/Valsecchi
Or:some driver from 5/6 years ago with a lot of money.

Massa and Kobayashi are sadly no longer in F1, the 2 former STR drivers did not manage to find seats, while Frijns and Da Costa will be put in prominence by their future teams, as Force India is doing with Bianchi this year.