Ferrari can't handle the pressure of title drought - Massa
Ferrari can't handle the pressure of title drought - Massa
Felipa Massa believes that there is one main reason why Ferrari have allowed Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton to create such an advantage in both the constructors' and drivers' championships in the 2018 campaign, and it is that the Scuderia cannot handle the pressure of ending their near decade-long title wait.
While Sebastian Vettel ran Hamilton close and led the championship at points this season, strategy problems behind the scenes at Ferrari as well as some Grand Prix mistakes from the German have given Mercedes a big enough advantage that Hamilton can claim the drivers' title this weekend in the United States if he wins and Vettel is not higher than third.
Massa was part of the team when Ferrari last won the championship in 2008, and he reckons that the pressure is getting too much to handle for the team as they continue their attempts to stop the rot.
"We won the championship in 2007, and then after 2008, Ferrari started to have some issues – they never won again," Massa told Motorsport.com.
"Maybe when I left Ferrari in 2013 the feeling is similar to what they have now. Pressure to win, and they are struggling to keep the pressure down. They are struggling to do their job in an efficient way.
"I think definitely this year – although I am not saying they have lost the championship yet - but maybe they lost the battle at the end because of some mistakes, and maybe because they are feeling the pressure in a higher way compared to Mercedes which has a lot less pressure.
"Mercedes won the last four years. It makes it much easier to work with a title in your hands, compared to working where you need to win, and the chance to make mistakes is higher."
The Brazilian believes that simple changes and a more focused attitude can bring Ferrari to the top again, with no radical changes required.
"I think you need to find the way to work, the way to prepare things, in the most quiet way, in the most focused way," Massa continued.
"They are a good team and an amazing team, and I have to say, the car they managed to do is pretty good. They are doing a good job on that, but maybe some little things around are missing."
MORE: Vettel reveals details of Hamilton relationship
MORE: Hamilton better than ever in 2018 Vettel fight, says Wolff
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner outlines Ricciardo target to save F1 dream as major Newey announcement made - GPFans F1 Recap
- 3 hours ago
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
- Yesterday 21:57
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- Yesterday 20:57
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- Yesterday 19:57
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- Yesterday 18:57
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860