Massa: Räikkönen suffers psychologically in comparison to Alonso

For Felipe Massa, who knows Fernando Alonso well from being his teammate at Ferrari between 2010 and 2013, Kimi Räikkönen’s difficulties within the Scuderia are primarily psychological.

Back in Maranello at the beginning of 2014 after spending three seasons there between 2007 and 2009 – during which he won his only World Championship title – the Finn is overshadowed by Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard preceded him 14 times in 16 qualifying sessions, 12 times in the 13 races where both drivers finished, and holds a 94-point lead in the drivers’ championship.

Räikkönen has often indicated that he struggles to find the right settings for his F14-T. But for Felipe Massa, his predecessor, now with Williams, it’s the psychological battle with Alonso that the 2007 World Champion is losing: « It’s not easy to be his teammate, and obviously the problem is that Kimi has this in his head. It’s very difficult because, first of all, [Alonso] is an excellent driver; his talent is really complete. He’s one of the fastest drivers but also one of the most consistent, one of the most aggressive: he has it all. He’s a top driver, » he indicated to Autosport.

The Brazilian had already referred to his own situation a few days ago in the pages of Lance!, a Brazilian publication: « I also suffered a lot when Alonso arrived [at Ferrari]. Kimi is undoubtedly much better than what he’s currently showing, just in relation to what he’s done in the past. But with Alonso in the team, he loses his footing a bit and doesn’t do what he’s capable of doing. We live in a world of details and if it doesn’t work psychologically, you are unable to do your job perfectly. »

« It’s easy to say that Kimi is demotivated, like when they said it was because of my accident. » Victim of a serious accident during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifications, when he was hit by a spring at the helmet level, Massa returned to competition at the beginning of 2010, when Fernando Alonso was recruited by Ferrari. « But in my opinion, Alonso is the strongest driver on the grid, so if you’re not perfect, it’s very difficult to get ahead of him. »

The political and collective aspect of the Asturian is not forgotten: « He is very intelligent and capable of getting the team on his side. This is what makes the other driver suffer. When you see another driver getting more attention from the team, the situation becomes very difficult to turn around. »

Fernando Alonso is expected, in all likelihood, to leave Scuderia Ferrari at the end of the season, making way for Sebastian Vettel, whose departure from Red Bull has been the only official announcement amid the storm of rumors swirling around the paddock. If the Spaniard does not continue with the team in red, the most probable option seems to be a move to McLaren. Kimi Räikkönen, for his part, has already expressed his desire to stay for the next season. An official announcement is expected in the coming days or weeks.