Massa replaced by Rosberg at Ferrari from 2012?

Since the last Indian Grand Prix, and according to various sources, it seems that Luca di Montezemolo was not pleased with Felipe Massa’s performance, having broken his suspensions twice by riding a curb and collided with Lewis Hamilton during the race, rumors are swirling across the Rhine about a potential dismissal of the Ferrari driver even before the end of his contract, to be replaced by Nico Rosberg, who is said to be dissatisfied with his situation at Mercedes GP.

Thus, the Cologne newspaper Express reported the information that the German driver was in talks with the Scuderia: « During the week leading up to the Indian Grand Prix, Nico was in Maranello, » even claims an informant to the daily while another source claims that Ferrari « wants to have him ».

However, Felipe Massa has a contract with Scuderia for 2012, but the recent history of the Italian firm shows that it is better not to rely on the terms of a contract. On the other hand, Nico Rosberg is tied with Mercedes until 2012 and is currently negotiating a possible extension, but the Bild reports that he has a clause that allows him to prematurely terminate his contract under certain conditions.

When asked about his future with the star brand, Nico Rosberg gives a vague answer: « I don’t want to say anything about it. We are having discussions about a long-term cooperation. »

Nothing can therefore, at this time, disprove or confirm these rumors, but Eddie Jordan, a consultant for the BBC, advises Massa to be cautious. « He needs to be careful because there are many other talents waiting outside. He has a contract, but in Formula One, nothing is ever certain, » the Irishman comments on Austrian television laola1.

For his part, David Coulthard is more categorical: “He is very nice, a likable guy who drives with his heart, but he is no longer as competitive as he was before his accident in Hungary. Ferrari has no choice but to look for a new driver,” the Scotsman judged on the Austrian channel Servus TV.

Moreover, for several months now, Scuderia haven’t been hiding the fact that they are exploring different alternatives, with Stefano Domenicali even providing a profile of the driver who could replace Massa in 2013. The driver from São Paulo therefore knows he is on the hot seat, and according to David Coulthard, this pressure partly explains his misadventures at the Indian Grand Prix: « In Formula One, you are always under pressure, even Sebastian Vettel is under pressure… but in a different form. Massa must know that his Formula One career is slowly coming to an end. With these results, he won’t be able to stay at Ferrari for much longer. »

The Scotsman also believes that the Brazilian could be forced to give up his place as soon as the end of this season: « Ferrari will seriously study its driver duo and decide on the strongest team possible they can have for 2012. […] In Formula One, anything is possible, I learned that during the 17 seasons I spent there. »