Tag: Felipe Massa

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Ferrari Formula 1 Renault

Alonso could have finished Kimi’s Ferrari career

Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa - teammates in waiting?

According to a report from Diario AS, a Spanish newspaper, Fernando Alonso was offered Kimi Raikonnen’s seat at Ferrari for the 2009 Formula One season. However, Alonso’s loyalty to Renault saw him turn down the opportunity to drive alongside Felipe Massa, the report claims.

The Spanish newspaper says Ferrari’s interest came too late and Alonso did not want to leave Renault without a lead driver just three months from the start of a new season. It is believed Alonso wanted an offer from Ferrari by mid-November last year. Rumours have suggested for some time that a contract already exists for Alonso to join Ferrari for the 2010 season, after his Renault contract has expired.

The article goes on to claim that Ferrari are worried Renault will finish above them in 2009 and Ferrari’s tifosi will start asking why Alonso wasn’t secured sooner.

Source AS.com via autoblog (Picture via FernandoAlonso.com)

Categories
Formula 1

F1 2008 – Season highlights

Formula One seasons usually have everything. Excitement, high drama, controversy, and tears. Lots of tears. On that front, 2008 delivered one of the most dramatic seasons in recent times. There was pit lane mayhem, wet weather mayhem and post race results mayhem. It was also the first season to see a race held at night under artifical light. And, of course, the last race seemed to fit almost all of these things into one single event.

If Al Gore used to be the next President of the United States, then Felipe Massa used to be Formula One’s next World Champion. A title he held, provisionally, for less than one minute. That was all the time Lewis Hamilton needed to claim the extra point he needed to secure his first F1 title. It truly was an amazing climax to an amazing season.

This clip does a pretty good job of capturing the action, the drama and, ultimately, that final lap euphoria.

UPDATE 16 December: Looks like Bernie pulled the plug on this compilation.
UPDATE 19 December: Thanks to Matt for the YouTube find (while it lasts).

Categories
Formula 1

Who will be 2008 F1 world champion?

This weekend marks the last race in the 2008 Formula 1 calendar. Can Lewis Hamilton (94pts) maintain his seven point lead and claim his first World Championship? Or will Felipe Massa (87pts), in front of his home crowd in Brazil, snatch glory for Ferrari again, just as Raikonnen did in 2007? A win for Massa will take his season points tally to 97. So, can Hamilton finish in fifth place or better and earn the four points he needs to secure the title? Will McLaren play it safe and try to guide Lewis to a reliable points finish. Or will Hamilton, a racer at heart, chase the ultimate success, victory in the last race to claim the championship? So many questions, but only one answer will matter. It’s a shame that we have to wait until 4am Monday (AEDST) to find out!

David Coulthard will start his 246th and final Grand Prix on Sunday, so it is fitting that he talks us through a lap of the Interlagos circuit (graphic sourced from Telegraph.co.uk).

Categories
Formula 1

David Coulthard’s Melbourne Grand Prix outburst

The 2008 Melbourne Grand Prix was a bit of a procession with Lewis Hamilton sweeping all before him. One highlight, for those enjoying the view from their couch, was David Coulthard’s outburst towards Felipe Massa after the two collided, forcing Coulthard to retire from the race. DC’s spray was captured live by ITV, and here it is for your viewing pleasure (language warning applies).