As the 2012 Formula One season comes to an end, the attention of the media, fans and teams shift to the changes that each team makes in terms of drivers. For those that are out of contract, we see a time in which decisions are made, from deciding to extend a current contract, or like Lewis Hamilton, to decide to move on to another team to experience a new challenge. During this time drivers may retire as we saw with 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher and we are also introduced to many of the young and talented drivers, waiting for their chance to grab any opportunity to drive a F1 car with both hands.
My last post was regarding the controversial move Lewis Hamilton has decided to make next season but there are still many teams which have not announced both of their 2013 drivers. One of these teams are Ferrari, the oldest team in F1.
The only certainty within the team is that Fernando Alonso will continue to drive for the Italian team, but since the start of the season questions have arisen, speculating who will partner Alonso in the future.
Ferrari kept both the fans and the media out of the loop, neither confirming or denying reports that Felipe Massa would retain his drive. Many drivers on the grid have been linked with the seat from Hulkenburg to Di Resta and Perez and even the possibility of Schumacher returning to the team in which he found his most success.
These possibilities have teased our minds and after weeks and months of guessing and predictions, Ferrari announced they had whittled it down to just three drivers, Hulkenburg, Di Resta and Massa. At the time this blog is published, the second driver is still not confirmed.
Choice. That is one thing that Ferrari have and they will be carefully looking at each driver for the rest of the season, whilst also looking back at the driver's past experience and they will no doubt, being the most experienced team in the paddock, choose the right driver for the job.
So should Ferrari maintain Massa for 2013? It is clear to see that at the start of the season Massa needed to seriously improve his performances, after being constantly out qualified and out raced by his team-mate at every event. In some cases he was almost one second off the pace of Alonso and everyone in the paddock noticed this, sparking speculation that Massa would be indefinitely replaced. More recently he has been increasingly impressive, helping Ferrari to restore third in the Constructor's Championship and scoring a podium. I think if Ferrari were to retain Massa, they would do so for 2013 before welcoming Vettel in 2014. Can two World Champions operate within the same team? Massa also seems content with playing second fiddle to Alonso, and Ferrari would have to consider the fact that a new driver may not be a willing as Massa to do this.
Di Resta and Hulkenburg. Currently they are team-mates at Sahara Force India, and are likely to maintain this dynamic if neither of them go to Ferrari next year. There was rumours that Hulkenburg would move to Sauber, but what is the point in a sideways move? I can see Force India maintaining their line-up for 2013, especially if Massa stays at Ferrari and as Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes all have confirmed driver line-ups.
Di Resta, in only his second year of competitive Formula One racing, has impressed those amongst the paddock, and was considered rookie of the season in 2011. His maturity portrays a man much older than 26 years old, and I predict he has a successful career ahead of him. At some point in his career I believe he will drive for McLaren, but a move to Ferrari would give Paul the chance he deserves to drive for a successful team and to show just how quick he really is.
Hulkenburg is similar in that he is an impressive talent at 25 years old and I predict he would be an asset to the Ferrari team, but I worry that if Ferrari decide to hire either of these drivers, once the chance to obtain Vettel arises, these drivers may have to back pedal.
After considering all the choices Ferrari have in regards to their second 2013 driver, I predict that they will announce very soon that they have decided to retain Massa on a one year deal. However, this prediction is not carved in stone, as experienced this year, the world of Formula One is not predictable and maybe Ferrari have a shock in store for all of us. Imagine if they have decided they do not want any of these three drivers and announce a driver that many would not consider? Exciting times are ahead, and if one thing is for sure, it will be that you will want to know their driver line-up as soon as it is announced!
Tammy
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