Fittipaldi: “Massa can fight for the championship”
The double Brazilian world champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, believes that his compatriot Felipe Massa can still fight for the world champion title in the coming years and particularly in 2012.
Emerson Fittipaldi told the Brazilian site TotalRace that he saw Felipe Massa as capable of fighting for the title in 2012: “Without a doubt, Felipe will be able to adapt his driving style to the new Ferrari, which will be a better car. He will have his chance.”
The twice world champion in 1972 and 1974 adds accordingly: « The Pirelli tires have made things a bit more difficult for aggressive drivers like Felipe. But he is fast, and he hasn’t lost any skill following his 2009 accident. »
Emerson compares Massa’s accident in Hungary to his own accident during an IndyCar race in Michigan in 1996 and to Nelson Piquet’s accident in Imola in 1987: « Massa’s accident was different from Nelson Piquet’s in 1987 and mine in 1996 at Michigan. He was hit on the head and he passed out, it’s different. I know the psychological effects. »
The Brazilian champion advocates for Massa and still believes in him: « Felipe can still achieve good results, but it will depend on Ferrari’s performance. But he has a chance to fight for the title as he did before. »
