http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/ Autoblog Comments for BREAKING: Massa and Ferrari extend contract through 2010 http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/Oct 16th 2007 11:25AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/Oct 16th 2007 11:43AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/Oct 16th 2007 1:27PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/
Here's the diggs on Felipe's watch...

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9695464-1.html]]>Oct 16th 2007 2:21PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/
this is a good move on ferraris part, if ferrari can just increase their reliability they have a serious chance at leading the constructors as well as drivers championship next year, both kimi and felipe are both really consistant drivers.]]>Oct 16th 2007 1:42PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/
He has been faster than Kimi most of the season and gets on well with his team.

I don't think he's the next Barichello. I think he's an honest title contender...

...needs work in the wet weather though.]]>Oct 16th 2007 2:24PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/
I assume that's because it took some time for Kimi to learn the Ferrari way. It is, after all, his first year with the team, and Massa is on his second year as a race driver, and fourth year counting in his test driver years.]]>Oct 16th 2007 3:13PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/Felipe has 5 Pole Positions, 6 fastest laps (Belgium and China being most recent), 3 wins. His last pole was race 12 in Turkey and his last win was the same race

Kimi has 3 poles (last in Belgium), 5 fastest laps (last in Turkey) and 5 wins

Based on this, I think it is difficult to say that Felipe isn't FASTER than Kimi. He is. Kimi, though may be a better racer.]]>Oct 16th 2007 3:44PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/
Felipe also has had 2 penalties involving demotion down the grid and Kimi has had but 1]]>Oct 16th 2007 3:50PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/I don't think Felipe is the next Barrichello (I think Rubens is an excellent driver, just not championship-caliber). If he can just have the car stay underneath him, he'll be alright.
Oh, and learn to fight off Alonso and Hamilton!]]>Oct 16th 2007 3:03PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/
Let's take a look at the stats, one half of the season at a time, like I said. First half is 8 races ending at the French Grand Prix. Second half is 8 races starting at the British Grand Prix.

Removing grid penalties and DNFs (and in Massa's case the DSQ in Canada), here're the stats:

First half average grid position:

Massa: 2.14
Kimi: 3

Second half average grid position:

Massa: 2.67
Kimi: 2.5

First half average race finish position:

Massa: 3
Kimi: 3.57

Second half average finish position:

Massa: 4.57
Kimi: 1.86

That stats support everything I said. Massa was quicker on the first half, Kimi on the second half. I have absolutely no doubt Kimi will be faster next year, because he's used to the Ferrari way now.

As for the fastest lap times, maybe if I get bored I'll run the stats on them, too comparing the first half to the second half of the season so far however meaningless it may be, since comparing the fastest lap in a race like China doesn't mean anything. Kimi was so far ahead anyone else that he didn't have to push while Massa was still pushing either to prove a point or to be ready to capitalize on any mistakes by Alonso.]]>Oct 16th 2007 5:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/breaking-massa-and-ferrari-extend-contract-through-2010/
One of best tracks for him is coming up, so the timing of the announcement, just before his home race, where he is required to be in a support role, didn't escape my attention. ]]>Oct 16th 2007 6:14PM