22/11/2011
NEWS STORY
While confirming that Felipe Massa, who will contest his one hundredth Grand Prix for Ferrari this weekend, remains with his team for 2012, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo warns the Brazilian that he must prove himself.
The Brazilian, who has been criticised by the Ferrari boss at the end of 2010, di Montezemolo 'joking' that at times he believed Felipe's brother to be driving the second Ferrari, has had a pretty torrid time of it again this year.
Other than his numerous, much publicised, clashes with Lewis Hamilton, the Brazilian has just 108 points compared to his teammate's 245, and has yet to make it to the podium.
Speaking on GR Parlamento, di Montezemolo served notice on Massa, warning him that much more is expected of him next season.
"Massa's contract will run for the whole of next season, he's been with us for quite a few years and even if he didn't have such a great season or much luck, we can't question the ability of a driver who was winning the title three years ago and who has always been fast and competitive.
"Let's hope he can finish the season with a good result in Brazil," he added, "we expect great things from him in 2012 and then we'll decide how to proceed. Let's say he'll have to prove himself next season."
Asked how he would score his team's season, the Italian replied: "A mark out of ten for our season? I'd give a 5 which I'll raise to 6 considering the effort and the victory at Silverstone exactly 60 years after Ferrari's first win in F1.
"But the season started badly," he continued, "we didn't interpret the regulations well and we didn't take risks in the technology of our project.
"I have great confidence in our drivers and there seems to have been a clarification as regards the regulations," he added, looking ahead to next season. "I'm sure we'll have a more competitive car. We have Fernando until 2016 and he's the best driver in the world."