Thursday 25 July 2013

Massa calm over form

Felipe Massa has refused to accept he is feeling the pressure after another run of poor results left the Brazilian’s future at Ferrari once again being brought in for question.

After a promising start to the season, Massa’s year has again descended into mediocrity following a string of poor results, casting major doubt over whether he will be offered another extension at the end of his current contract when this season finishes. Indeed, punters who bet on f1 are predicting Massa will leave the team at the end of the year.

Since finishing on the podium at the Spanish GP in early May, Massa has scored just 12 points and crashed at least once during the four subsequent race weekends - including race-ending accidents in Monaco and the Nurburgring in Germany.

Massa's was only handed a one-year contract extension last year after a pretty dismal season, but Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo made clear after the last race in Germany that the Brazilian retained their "total confidence" and they were in no rush to reach a decision over his future.

But that hasn’t stopped speculation linking a series of drivers with Massa’s seat in the Ferrari.

"I know what I have to do. I'm just concentrating on good results. I need to improve a little bit my consistency - just finish the race, that's the most important thing, but I’m not feeling any more pressure than usual,” insisted Massa.

"The pace is there so I'm not worried because I showed in most of the races to be honest [on] the pace. Things have happened not to finish the race and we just need to concentrate and try to keep the pace and just finish the race. I know if nothing strange happens I will finish in a good position.”

Despite Ferrari backing their man, the formula 1 betting suggests Massa’s time with the Italian team is coming to an end sooner rather than later.