Horner would not have extended Massa’s contract in 2013, but Di Montezemolo accepts responsibility

In 2013, Felipe Massa is expected to make further history with Ferrari by defending the colors of the Scuderia for the eighth consecutive year. On this occasion, the Paulista is anticipated to step onto the podium of drivers who have raced the most Grand Prix with the same constructor, behind Michael Schumacher (180 Grand Prix with Ferrari) and David Coulthard (150 Grand Prix with McLaren).

The future of the Brazilian at Maranello was hanging by a thread, and though Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo decided to renew their confidence in him for 2013, Christian Horner, director of the Red Bull Racing team, confided in *The Official Formula 1 Season Review 2012* that it wouldn’t have been the case if he had been at the helm of the Italian team: « Unfortunately, it’s a tough business based on results. You have to look at what the guy in the other car is doing, assuming they have the same equipment. Clearly, they looked at other drivers – including at least one of ours [Mark Webber, editor’s note] –, so they were obviously concerned about his form, but their options proved limited. They took their time with Pérez who, at the beginning of the year, seemed set for that seat. He showed real progress, he was a member of their young driver academy, and then McLaren signed him. Then, Felipe visibly regained his form in the last third of the year. Evidently, they were deliberating and when the music stopped, they probably realized it was the best option for them. »

The candidates to succeed Felipe Massa were numerous, but despite a poor start to the season, the Paulista was indeed the best option in the eyes of Luca di Montezemolo: « Massa greatly improved during the second half of the championship, but in the first half, he seemed to be on vacation around the world, » joked the Italian to journalists present at Ferrari’s Christmas Party. « Beyond the joke, I think confirming him was the right decision: if we had changed, we would have had to take someone who would make a difference, and I can’t say that I’ve seen many drivers around who could be faster than Felipe. We also did not want to change the balance and good atmosphere that prevails in the team. Stefano Domenicali and I told ourselves that it was best to wait, and the outcome proved us right. Towards the end of the season, when Felipe was sometimes even faster than Fernando, the points he scored played a vital role in securing our [second] place in the Constructors’ Championship. »

But the president of Ferrari, who wants the Scuderia to do more than just vie for the title in 2013, knows that Felipe Massa was far from being the only weak link in 2012: « Once again, this season, we were in the fight but […] if we manage to improve our performance, then we can be winners. You can see the glass as either half full or half empty, but clearly, there are a lot of regrets because it came down to the wire. After that first lap in Brazil, maybe things could have turned out differently because Fernando went on vacation, at the start of the summer break, with a forty-point lead over his closest rival and because, when there were accidents, we were forced to retire while others could continue as if nothing had happened. However, the biggest regret is that we did not have a car that was fast enough to win the world championship. »