Former Ferrari driver and Tifosi for life, Felipe Mass is not surprised how the great Italian team have declined from being a Formula 1 superpower to just another team scrapping for third place in the championship.
Sadly a reality that seemed acceptable in this era of the Scuderia’s illustrious history, with the Maranello victory cupboard since 2019 their win record remains stagnant at 238. This year there is absolutely nowhere to hide.
For Massa, who departed the team in 2013 for Williams, the decline was expected, last year he told Spanish reporters: “That didn’t surprise me. Ferrari’s best years were with Schumacher, then 2006, 2007, 2008. After 2009, Ferrari was no longer the team of the hour and it still isn’t.”
Indeed under Mattia Binotto’s reign, the team has faltered, although 2021 can be seen a s a strong recovery with Carlos Sainz a smart pick by the team boss to partner Charles Leclerc. Now they need a winning car.
The noises emanating from Maranello, as they build the Ferrari F1-75 for 2022’s all-new F1 rules, are positive (as they tend to be at this time of the year from Italy) and for sure the ere is expected to be a leveling if the playing field.
Massa: I hope that with the changes Ferrari can win again in 2022
The Brazilian hinges his hopes on the latter having an impact, and told Motorsport-Magazin: “If there are big changes, then there can be surprises, although that’s difficult. I think the big teams will still be at the top, like Mercedes and Red Bull. But maybe also Ferrari or McLaren. Usually, the big teams are more likely to start the year at the top.
“I hope that with the changes Ferrari can win again in 2022. I’m a Ferrarista but it’s not easy. It takes a lot of hard work and a cool head to get good results,” added Massa.
While much is being made of the rivalry brewing between Leclerc and Sainz, the Spaniard impressing all and sundry with a polished first year in Red, beating his highly-rated teammate and with it growing in stature rapidly within the team.
But Massa does not see the driver pairing is not the issue: “Ferrari’s problem is not a driver problem, it’s a car problem, it’s a team problem. Sainz and Leclerc form a very important driver pairing. Sainz works hard, he’s consistent and fast. He’s a very strong driver.
Asked if Sainz is F1 World Champion material, Massa replied: “That depends on the car. He has the necessary consistency but it’s not easy to beat a teammate like Charles Leclerc from the start. He has to do a perfect job for that.”
Massa raced for Ferrari, at first alongside his mentor Michael Schumacher, from 2006 until 2013 winning eleven F1 races for the Reds, coming close to the 2008 F1 World title only to be denied by Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of an incredible race and season.
In total, the 40-year-old great competed in 269 Grands Prix with Sauber, Ferrari and Williams.