F1 Madness

Tag: nicholas todt

  • Bernie Ecclestone working hard to keep Massa in F1

    Bernie Ecclestone working hard to keep Massa in F1

    Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he is working hard to ensure that Felipe Massa does not drop out of Formula One.

    Currently, Massa is the last remaining Brazilian F1 driver on the grid but he has lost his Ferrari seat and will be replaced by Kimi Raikkonen for the 2014 season.

    Massa’s manager, Nicholas Todt, is working hard to tap into Brazilian sponsors to ensure that Massa will be in contention for a ride with the Lotus, Williams, Force India or Sauber F1 teams.

    Brazil and South America are important markets for F1 and the sport’s chief whip, Bernie Ecclestone, told the O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, “I am trying to help; it’s not easy, but we’re working on it.”

    Ecclestone admitted that Massa’s future in F1 could depend on whether he can attract sponsorship to take with him to his next team.

    “If Felipe gets some sponsors, everything will change and Brazil should have a driver on the grid in 2014,” Ecclestone said. “A strong economy like the one in Brazil is in a good position to invest in a driver,” he added.

     

  • Felipe Massa in talks with Lotus

    Felipe Massa in talks with Lotus

    Felipe Massa has his eyes firmly set on the vacant Lotus seat after announcing his departure from Ferrari, and since the announcement was made that Kimi Raikkonen will take his place at Ferrari.

    Massa has confirmed that he is in negotiations with Lotus for the race seat.

    The possibility of a straight swop seems very enticing from many angles and it will be very interesting to see how Massa would perform at Lotus.

    Massa told Globo Esporte that Lotus appeals to him as the most competitive option remaining on the 2014 F1 grid.

    “We are negotiating,” he told the publication. “In my opinion, Lotus has a competitive car, which is what I want. We are having many conversations to try to find a way, not only for me but for Lotus, to continue with a good car.”

    Massa revealed he has also been in talks with McLaren but said he that Lotus is still his best option. “I’ve had contact with McLaren but I cannot judge, it’s hard to say,” he said. “With Lotus, the contact was very good,” Massa added.

    Nicholas Todt, Massa’s manager, last week told Canal Plus that Massa is determined to drive for a competitive team next year.

    “He never would go to a smaller team to be second driver,” Todt said. “We need to find a car that can challenge at the front in F1. The best place available is undoubtedly the one left by Raikkonen at Lotus.”

    Eric Boullier last week confirmed that Lotus is in talks with a number of drivers about the 2014 season and that Lotus will make their decision “shortly”.