Massa to Ferrari?

[nichosnz 0]

Luciana Burti 'let it slip' that he will not be continuing as a Ferrari test driver next year, as he has been replaced by Felippe Massa.

Ferrari have however not confirmed this statement. Nor (maybe more importantly) have thay denied it!

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I dont doubt it for a second. Ferrari I think already has signed Massa, because the way they answered questions about the matter was so avertive

[nichosnz 0]

It probably will not end up mattering, but will Massa be the reserve driver, or will the experiance of Luca Badoer mean he keeps the position.

I feel that it would have to be LB, as FM hasn't quite completley calmed down yet.

[daz 0]

Yeah I agree - LB will still be the reserve driver. I also think it was a great move on Ferraris side as theres no doubting that with a bit more experience FM will be a great driver.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

They say they will be grooming him towards a race seat, which I can believe. Schumacher has to retire sometime... as does Rubens, though he has a few more years than Michael still in him.

[Rohan 0]

Well i guess Burti should look forward to racing after his spectacular crash last year!!!!!!!!!!! and if masa is confirmed it will be something different!!

LB will defenately hiold his own position...but the question will arise when MS decides to call it the end!!!! as BMW confirmed that JPM will also have his (new) contract ending at the same time with MS!!

[nichosnz 0]

Burti is today claiming that the quote was entirely fictional. That however doesn't change the fact that Ferrari answered the question very cagey, when it was put to them.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Rohan does make a good point, some very good top seats open up at the end of 04, with both Ferrari contracts, both Williams contracts, and several others ending then. Coulthard is done with Mclaren after 2003, Im quite sure.

So Massa, should he now be able to snatch a test ride from Ferrari, has a lot of great options in a few years if he proves himself.

[Rohan 0]

Jens you just made my day lo...by daying Coulthard will be done in 03...and hopefully McLaren are not stupid enough to sign him again!!! i would say DC has talent...but he is not that good in general like he was earlier on in his career.

the end of 03-04 season with a lot of drives changing should be exciting...

[TotalF1-Nick 0]

What does Burti have lined up for next year then?

[DJC-Grafix 0]

yea, he is now denying it. but there have always been rumors about Massa goin to Ferrari <_

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

The Massa rumour is nothing new, it has been around for months. Burti didn't really say anything about next year...

[nichosnz 0]

I recall rumours last year linking Raikkonen to Ferrari that came to nothing though. So I was cautious about the Massa rumours, this time round. Until now, until Ferrari's lack of denial.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

The whole Raikkonen-Ferrari thing came about thanks to the Sauber-Ferrari connection. But I knew it would never happen, Kimi himself never said anything about it and did spend a lot of time with Mika (Hakkinen) and the people from Mclaren before Silverstone 2001.

The whole thing did make the cover story of F1 Racing though

[nichosnz 0]

But even lingering with a team does not make it a definate though, just a clue, like other factors.

[Rohan 0]

Massa confirmed to test for Ferrari!!!

LONDON (espnstar.com) - Ferrari test driver Luciano Burti is reported to have said that has he will be replaced by fellow Brazilian Felipe Massa.

Burti has been Ferrari

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Rohan, that is old news. You seem to have missed the whole part about that story being entirely false and that Burti never said such a thing

[Rohan 0]

thats true....jens i read about that..as Burti demands an apology...but someother news station had the same coverage aswell....

i am pretty sure its a suspected change..even though Burti declines it!!!

[nichosnz 0]

I wouldn't be suprised if it happens either, because I believe that Massa IS wanted and they won't get rid on Badoer, he is too highly rated and has, earlier this year, been offered a 'job for life, if he wants it'.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Massa has not seen the last of F1, nor has F1 seen the last of Massa. He is only another contender for future championships alongside Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, and the rest. I believe equilibrium in the eveness of teams is getting cloer every season, and we will see it within the decade. Far-fetched, but as more and more manufacturers join the ranks it is only a matter of time.

[nichosnz 0]

I think that is a possibality too, but if it doesn't happen, we may get another manufacturer mass exodus.