I've been thinking a lot about this recently. Last year it was about this time that Ferrari placed their bets on Raikkonen and put Massa in a supporting role.
This year Raikkonen is not as dominant as was expected. Felipe made terrible mistakes in 3 races but otherwise has generally matched or out-performed Kimi particularly in the last 3 months.
Kimi has done very well at the high speed / low downforce circuits like Canada, France and out-performed Felipe in rained out races. Massa has done well at his fave tracks: Turkey, Bahrain and also improved at driver's circuits like Monaco.
Here's how I think the two Ferrari drivers will perform in the next 6 races:
Spa: Definite advantage Kimi (high speed track)
Monza: Slight advantage Kimi (high speed track)
Singapore: Definite advantage Massa (expect Kimi to suffer in qualifying getting heat into his tires)
Fuji: Slight to large advantage Kimi (will it rain again?)
Shanghai: Slight advantage Kimi if it rains again. Otherwise both drivers have equal chance.
Brazil: Sure win for Massa
Even if it does not rain in the next 6 races, then Kimi has a slight advantage over Felipe. if it rains, Kimi is the man.
Kimi has to win Spa or else Ferrari might lose hope in him and put their resources behind Felipe.
__________________
"Tazio Nuvolari - The greatest driver of the past, the present and the future" - Ferdinand Porsche
|