Breaking news
Formula 1
Lotus admits Massa 'on the list' to replace Raikkonen
Since Massa announced he was leaving Ferrari, the team named Raikkonen. Now there is an open seat with Lotus!
GMM
Edited: Sep 12, 2013, 7:07 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Sep.12 (GMM) Felipe Massa has leapt into contention to replace the Ferrari-bound Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus.
Both the Brazilian's manager Nicolas Todt, and Lotus team boss Eric Boullier, have revealed 32-year-old Massa is in the running for what Todt describes as "the best seat" left on the 2014 grid.
"What is certain is that other teams are interested in Felipe," Todt, speaking after Wednesday's news that Raikkonen will replace Massa at Ferrari next year, told Canal Plus.
"Felipe will never play second fiddle in a small team, so what we need to do is find him a car that allows him to play a leading role in Formula One.
"For sure, the best team today, the most interesting seat, is the one left behind by Raikkonen.
"After that, is it the only interesting seat? We'll see," added Todt. "It will be important to pay attention and be responsive in the coming weeks."
However, until now, the favourite to replace Raikkonen at Lotus has been Nico Hulkenberg, who was also in contention for the Ferrari seat.
Lotus team boss Eric Boullier told RMC Sport: "Felipe Massa is also available, so he is inevitably on the list.
"But let's not go too fast in activating the 'plan B'," said Boullier. "We are the only team left with a good seat available, and so inevitably this will affect many people."
It seems obvious that, in the interests of continuity, Raikkonen's departure has strengthened the case for Romain Grosjean to keep the other seat.
"It (Raikkonen's departure) can be good for him (Grosjean)," Boullier said, "because after growing for two years next to a world champion, he can unite the team and build it around him and prove he can be the leader.
"It can be an opportunity for him," he added, "but he must finish the championship well."
As for Massa, his Brazilian countryman Rubens Barrichello said he was sad to hear that his friend had lost his Ferrari seat.
"But there is life after Ferrari, and I'm proof of that," he is quoted by Globo.
"To race for Ferrari is the most sensational thing there is, but afterwards there is a release, a little less pressure.
"There is a moment of pain, but then life afterwards, and even things in life that are better," Barrichello added.
Another former F1 driver and Brazilian, Luciano Burti, also commented: "I know that Sauber would be interested in having him back, but it would not be a high-end car.
"It depends on what Felipe wants," he added.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Raikkonen will make a formidable teammate for Alonso
Next article Raikkonen left to 'finish career at Ferrari' - Boullier
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Felipe Massa
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Formula 1
Formula 1
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
More from
Ferrari
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Latest news
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
11 min
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
2 h
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
2027 Formula E drivers and teams: The line-up so far
Formula E
FE Formula E 4 h
2027 Formula E drivers and teams: The line-up so far
Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 4 h
Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe