FERRARI

RR: What about Ferrari this year?  

NDR: Michael is still the best, but I sometimes think he might not have been at his peak since 2000. I mean, the good car can mask a lot of those deficiencies, but then again, so can good driving make up for car deficiencies, and he still did that last year - Hungary. San Marino not included because that was a freak tyre advantage there. Some other qualifying sessions he impressed too.

RR: How will Felipe Massa fare?

NDR: Massa will be good. He has changed his attitude over testing and I am suitably impressed by him, and his times. But what I have noticed over the last two or three years, is that Massa seems to try to out psyche his teammates in testing before the season even begins, by setting blistering times. But I wonder if this will work against Michael. Perhaps not.

RR: I doubt it, I can't really see Massa out-psyching Michael. But I think this really is a make or break year as far as Schumacher is concerned. He's stated that if Ferrari aren't winning by mid-season he would have to consider his future, but I can’t see 06 being as bad as 05.

NDR: Future? Massa? Or Schumacher?

RR: Well I hope Schumacher will continue, but I don't think we will see Massa in a Ferrari for too long. For 2007 it looks like Raikkonen could be on the way, or dare we say it Valentino Rossi?

NDR: Valentino has said he will only move if Schumi stays and I think that's a given. He needs to learn from the best. Massa maybe just this year I think. Perhaps only here now as loyalty, and because he is managed by Todt's son, and was tester for the team. Maybe, also a clause in the contract.

RR: Yeah possibly. Do you see Massa as a regular podium finisher or even a winner this year?

NDR: I'm not even sure about regular podium position, but for sure he will be better than Rubens, just on the basis of a rebel mentality. But too inconsistent at the moment though. He'll have a good start, and so so middle, and improve a little consistency by the end.

RR: 2005 was a poor year by Ferrari's standards, and in all reality I don't think Ferrari or Schumacher would regard their Indianapolis win as a real victory. But it just goes to show that in F1 the mighty can fall.

NDR: It always does. How did McLaren fall after winning all but one grand prix in 88.

RR: Admittedly it took a while for McLaren to fall from grace, and Senna's departure didn't help. Ferrari's fall was more dramatic, coming straight after one of the most dominant seasons in F1 history. Still McLaren proved in 1998 after 4 years in the wilderness that the mighty can rise again, and Ferrari will surely do the same this year.

NDR: But is it too soon? Maybe. Having said that, they are too good not to.

RR: Exactly, I'd say that in Schumacher's hands they will be challenging again, although their reliability in winter testing has lead a lot to be desired.

NDR: Yes. They play down the severity of that a lot though, and I do worry if that turns out to be a real problem. Reliability is everything nowadays with the points system and the level of competition the way it is. Six or seven years ago you could get away with it - McLaren did - but not now. Far to much at stake. I compare it to the Premiership. There you could lose a several games a few years ago, but now with Chelsea's dominance you can barely afford to lose two.

RR: Yeah, and I think that little issues here and there will also hinder them somewhat, still one of the favourites though, and I think Schumacher will be itching to get up the front and challenge regularly again

NDR: He will be a title contender. Bet on that with your house.

RR: Yeah, but I think Massa may just be an issue when it comes to the constructors.

NDR: Why is that?

RR: He has the speed, that's a given, but I don't think he's consistent enough, and I think it will cost Ferrari dear.

NDR: What about team Schumacher? With Ross Brawn.

RR: The whole Renault rumour? Well if the Ferrari isn't what Schumacher wants and expects, and if Renault do pull out, then it could happen. But there's a lot of 'if's' there, and it would take a lot, don't count it out, but at the moment it doesn't look all that likely.

NDR: There have been rumours before though - like buying Sauber. These rumours had to have started from somewhere. No smoke without fire they say.

RR: Yeah, although Sauber are out of the question now of course. More likely I say is Schumacher possibly moving into the Ferrari management if he stops racing, but I fully hope and expect him to continue into 2007, and I think 2006 promises to be a good year for Ferrari.

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